Power Rankings
Overall Ranking: 16th
Tier: Playoff Hopefuls
Projected Seeding: 8th in West
It wasn't awful by any stretch, but this offseason didn't go quite as planned for Phoenix. Considered a serious dark-horse contender in the lottery to land superstar PF/C LaMarcus Aldridge's services, the Suns cleared $20+ million of cap space so that they would have the room to sign Aldridge should he have decided to take his talents to the desert -- a risky move. Unfortunately for them, it didn't pay off: the big man chose San Antonio in the end, and Phoenix had just dealt away three quality role players, namely SF/PF Marcus Morris, to Detroit in exchange for absolutely nothing (well, it was in exchange for the cap space that these players were taking up, but it wasn't put to good use as Aldridge didn't sign with Phoenix, if you follow). Worse yet, the separation of him from his twin angered PF/SF Markieff Morris (Marcus' brother) to the point where Phoenix's starting power forward has openly demanded a trade and friction presumably endures behind the scenes. Still, this Suns team is legitimate, to the point where it can overcome a little brotherly-love-gone-wrong. PG/SG Eric Bledsoe and his running mate, PG/SG Brandon Knight, make up an elite backcourt, one that can quickly run the floor and will account for much of the team's scoring and playmaking. Newly signed C Tyson Chandler, although to a questionably expensive deal, is still a top-tier rim defender and rebounder and is an optimal fit on this team. Phoenix is also littered with quality shooters, from rookie SG Devin Booker in the backcourt, to starting SF/SG P.J Tucker on the wing, to PF Mirza Teletovic up front. The depth on this team is also solid, and the only real question mark is if Morris is willing to stay and not be a distraction, or how much the Suns could net in exchange for him via a trade. Still, with young C/PF Alex Len itching for the opportunity to finally become a full-time starter, any fears of Markieff's unhappiness bringing this team down should be quelled.
Overall Ranking: 16th
Tier: Playoff Hopefuls
Projected Seeding: 8th in West
It wasn't awful by any stretch, but this offseason didn't go quite as planned for Phoenix. Considered a serious dark-horse contender in the lottery to land superstar PF/C LaMarcus Aldridge's services, the Suns cleared $20+ million of cap space so that they would have the room to sign Aldridge should he have decided to take his talents to the desert -- a risky move. Unfortunately for them, it didn't pay off: the big man chose San Antonio in the end, and Phoenix had just dealt away three quality role players, namely SF/PF Marcus Morris, to Detroit in exchange for absolutely nothing (well, it was in exchange for the cap space that these players were taking up, but it wasn't put to good use as Aldridge didn't sign with Phoenix, if you follow). Worse yet, the separation of him from his twin angered PF/SF Markieff Morris (Marcus' brother) to the point where Phoenix's starting power forward has openly demanded a trade and friction presumably endures behind the scenes. Still, this Suns team is legitimate, to the point where it can overcome a little brotherly-love-gone-wrong. PG/SG Eric Bledsoe and his running mate, PG/SG Brandon Knight, make up an elite backcourt, one that can quickly run the floor and will account for much of the team's scoring and playmaking. Newly signed C Tyson Chandler, although to a questionably expensive deal, is still a top-tier rim defender and rebounder and is an optimal fit on this team. Phoenix is also littered with quality shooters, from rookie SG Devin Booker in the backcourt, to starting SF/SG P.J Tucker on the wing, to PF Mirza Teletovic up front. The depth on this team is also solid, and the only real question mark is if Morris is willing to stay and not be a distraction, or how much the Suns could net in exchange for him via a trade. Still, with young C/PF Alex Len itching for the opportunity to finally become a full-time starter, any fears of Markieff's unhappiness bringing this team down should be quelled.