The Phoenix Suns are still awaiting the fate of Kevin Durant, as a trade bringing the superstar to Valley would undoubtedly propel them to new heights.
However, the Suns still feel like they have a pretty solid team even without Durant.
A starting lineup of Chris Paul-Devin Booker-Mikal Bridges-Jae Crowder-Deandre Ayton with Cam Johnson as the viable sixth man is the same group that nearly won the 2021 NBA Finals.
However, the Suns dropping out of the second round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks did not help any of their cases in the power rankings, which obviously determines who will be the best teams the following season.
In NBC Sports’ NBA Summer Power rankings, Kurt Helin has the Golden State Warriors at the top of the list, and that’s understandable. The Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies follow to complete the top five.
Sitting behind the Philadelphia 76ers, the Suns land 7th in the power rankings:
Phoenix Suns finish seventh in NBA Summer Power Rankings
“Deandre Ayton is back and after all the drama is saying the right things about wanting to be there. Monty Williams will know how to fix it. The Suns have extended their superstardom to Devin Booker and are basically bringing him back – which is a smart move for a team that won a league-record 64 games last season,” Helin said.
“If 37-year-old Chris Paul can continue to play at this level, the Suns should be considered contenders, but will they be good enough to come out of a deeper West where the best teams are a bit more versatile than them? Or will they look back and regret the missed opportunity to land Kevin Durant?”
Just below the Suns were the Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves to round out the top ten.
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