The Phoenix Suns enter this season confident after returning to the playoffs last season under then first-year head coach Jordan Ott.
Devin Booker posted another All-Star season. Dillon Brooks had a career year.
Phoenix went 2-0 against the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks and 2-2 versus the San Antonio Spurs, losing the final matchup in heartbreak fashion, 101-100, on the road March 19, on Victor Wembanyama's last-second jumper.
The Suns endured a 1-4 start, multiple injuries and a 3-8 stretch late in the season, but earned a spot in the play-in tournament where they needed two games to land the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
What will they do for an encore?
Here are five hot takes for the Suns.
No 50 wins, but avoid play-in
None of the past six West No.
6 seeds won 50 games, but the past three racked up 49 victories – the Suns in 2023-24 and the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Phoenix won 45 games last season.
The Suns will fall short of 50 victories for a fifth straight year but have a better team and will avoid the play-in tournament.
This team is capable of 50 victories, though. Must do the following:
Winning record in close games. Phoenix went 13-17 last season in games decided by six points or less.
Winning road record. The Suns finished 20-21 in away games last season.
Can't yield extra possessions. Suns were 29th in defensive rebounding and 22nd in second-chance points allowed last season.
Bridges will become most important player
Devin Booker is the team’s best player, but Miles Bridges can change how the Suns play.
His ability to handle the ball, particularly in the open court, gives the Suns a playmaker who frees up teammates to finish at the rim or on catch-and-shoot 3s.
Being a lefty who can drive or finish with either hand opens the half-court offense.
Lastly, he’s looking to show he can guard multiple positions well. Phoenix can switch with him not being a defensive liability.
Kennard NBA All-Star 3-point contest winner
The NBA recently had All-Stars participate in the 3-point contest, leaving little opportunity for everyone else.
Since All-Star weekend is in Phoenix this season, I think the league will make an exception.
If Luke Kennard is chosen, he’ll become the third Suns player to win the contest. Quentin Richardson took it in 2005; Booker was the 2018 winner.
Kennard has been in it before, finishing second along with Trae Young to Karl-Anthony Towns in 2022 in Cleveland when he was playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Movement before trade deadline
The Suns have made a move before the trade deadline in each of the four seasons Mat Ishbia has been team owner.
It’s become tradition. They have plenty of perimeter/wing depth.
Last one
If Khaman Maluach doesn’t start Phoenix’s season opener, he’ll become the starter by the end of November.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Top 6 finish in the West among our hot takes for the Phoenix Suns
