Suns 2026-2027 Season Discussion

[Hoop Head]

@Superbone to continue to answer your question from the other thread, this would make another place projecting us to miss the playoffs if what Adrian posted is correct.

Power Rankings change weekly during the season and aren't meant to reflect anything other than the last couple of weeks of activity. They don't predict the standings 9 months down the road.

Even being generous and granting your claim, it has us as a play in team. That isn't missing the playoffs altogether.

 

[Phrazbit]

I'm not bullish on our offseason but some of the teams listed above us in that ranking are comical.

Utah, Orlando, Golden State, Atlanta... no. We're better than those teams, at least on paper. If the Leonard trade falls through we're better than Toronto too.

I also have some uhh... serious questions about how the Wolves are actually going to function with that collection of players and I think the Lakers offseason has been an unmitigated disaster.

 

[Raindog]

A more realistic take might be the Suns at about 15 or so.

 

[Adrian]

Stat Defender
@statdefender
·
9h
Teams With The Best Mid-Range FG% In The 2026 NBA Playoffs :

1. Phoenix Suns — 49.1%
2. Cleveland Cavaliers — 48.6%
3. Oklahoma City Thunder — 45.4%
4. Los Angeles Lakers — 44.0%
5. Detroit Pistons — 43.4%
6. Philadelphia 76ers — 41.9%
7. Orlando Magic — 41.3%
7. Portland Trail Blazers — 41.3%

 

[JCSunsfan]

Stat Defender
@statdefender
·
9h
Teams With The Best Mid-Range FG% In The 2026 NBA Playoffs :

1. Phoenix Suns — 49.1%
2. Cleveland Cavaliers — 48.6%
3. Oklahoma City Thunder — 45.4%
4. Los Angeles Lakers — 44.0%
5. Detroit Pistons — 43.4%
6. Philadelphia 76ers — 41.9%
7. Orlando Magic — 41.3%
7. Portland Trail Blazers — 41.3%

This stat is a bit of a meh to me. It’s kinda like leading the NFL in field goals in a season. It’s good, but touchdowns and 3 point shots are better.

 

[Proximo]

I'm not bullish on our offseason but some of the teams listed above us in that ranking are comical.

Utah, Orlando, Golden State, Atlanta... no. We're better than those teams, at least on paper. If the Leonard trade falls through we're better than Toronto too.

I also have some uhh... serious questions about how the Wolves are actually going to function with that collection of players and I think the Lakers offseason has been an unmitigated disaster.

Utah is probably better than us - that roster is insanely talented.

Atlanta might be better too. Golden State no chance, we are easily better than them. Orlando I think Suns are slightly better.

We probably deserve to be ranked 15 - 17 somewhere in there.

If we want to really make progress this year we need development out of nearly everyone.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

some squads will take time to get their footing after their roster changes but like i said - if ott wants pre established chemistry all he has to do is sit miles bridges and we're back to our old selves again - but i think miles will stay on the court

if we only improve by 2.5 games were in a whole new atmosphere - anything more than that and we're looking for home court advantage

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[taz02]

We need health, and one of Peat, Fleming, or Man to have a breakout season, enough to warrant big minutes.

 

[Phrazbit]

Utah is probably better than us - that roster is insanely talented.

Atlanta might be better too. Golden State no chance, we are easily better than them. Orlando I think Suns are slightly better.

We probably deserve to be ranked 15 - 17 somewhere in there.

If we want to really make progress this year we need development out of nearly everyone.

Utah is a bunch of teenagers and an extremely injury prone JJJ and Lauri.

And I’m not a fan of Peterson.

 

[Yuma]

I do think our starting five got better. Kennard added to bench. Peat, if he ever gets into games could add to help. Not counting on Rookies with Ott.

 

[Proximo]

Utah is a bunch of teenagers and an extremely injury prone JJJ and Lauri.

And I’m not a fan of Peterson.

Yeah, they are young, but they are also extremely talented. So was San Antonio last year.

I actually think they have a real chance at the 3 seed.

 

[Yuma]

Suns' new starting lineup will run into immediate problems

The Phoenix Suns' new starting lineup with Miles Bridges has serious balance issues across the board.

arizonasports.com

Kellen Olsen tends to be a Debbie Downer. However he brings up some good points in the article linked above. He says the Suns gave up a lot for Bridges because they couldn't find a reliable fifth starter. Kellen also points out the weaknesses of the starting five. Thus, on his introductory press conference Bridges was saying Ott told him he had to improve his rebounding and defense this off season before training camp. They literally traded for a guy that Ott is trying to make into the player they needed to trade for.

Brooks had srguably his best season for Phoenix last season. Maybe Bridges could do the same? I keep thinking we traded for the wrong Bridges, or maybe should have never let the Bridges we had leave in a trade.

 

[leclerc]

But is the Bridges we had the Bridges we need?

 

[Hoop Head]

Suns' new starting lineup will run into immediate problems

The Phoenix Suns' new starting lineup with Miles Bridges has serious balance issues across the board.

arizonasports.com

Kellen Olsen tends to be a Debbie Downer. However he brings up some good points in the article linked above. He says the Suns gave up a lot for Bridges because they couldn't find a reliable fifth starter. Kellen also points out the weaknesses of the starting five. Thus, on his introductory press conference Bridges was saying Ott told him he had to improve his rebounding and defense this off season before training camp. They literally traded for a guy that Ott is trying to make into the player they needed to trade for.

Brooks had srguably his best season for Phoenix last season. Maybe Bridges could do the same? I keep thinking we traded for the wrong Bridges, or maybe should have never let the Bridges we had leave in a trade.

What I find the hardest to believe is that Bridges was the best option for a 5th starter based on what we paid. Royce and Allen should have been enough but the pick pushes it into overpaying. I think the Suns had tunnel vision on Bridges.

 

[Chaplin]

What I find the hardest to believe is that Bridges was the best option for a 5th starter based on what we paid. Royce and Allen should have been enough but the pick pushes it into overpaying. I think the Suns had tunnel vision on Bridges.

We got two picks back! Why is that part of the trade forgotten?

People are being so anal about a pick 7 years into the future.

 

[Mainstreet]

Suns' new starting lineup will run into immediate problems

The Phoenix Suns' new starting lineup with Miles Bridges has serious balance issues across the board.

arizonasports.com

Kellen Olsen tends to be a Debbie Downer. However he brings up some good points in the article linked above. He says the Suns gave up a lot for Bridges because they couldn't find a reliable fifth starter. Kellen also points out the weaknesses of the starting five. Thus, on his introductory press conference Bridges was saying Ott told him he had to improve his rebounding and defense this off season before training camp. They literally traded for a guy that Ott is trying to make into the player they needed to trade for.

Brooks had srguably his best season for Phoenix last season. Maybe Bridges could do the same? I keep thinking we traded for the wrong Bridges, or maybe should have never let the Bridges we had leave in a trade.

I read the article yesterday. That was a hard read. It felt like a safe position to take. No where to go but up.

 

[Adrian]

John Voita, III
@DarthVoita
·
1h
Here’s a stat for you from
@KellanOlson
:

Since 2018, there have been 104 players to take at least 2,000 3PA. Here is how members of the Suns starting five rank relative to percentage:

Bridges: 97th (33.8%)
Green: 95th (33.9%)
Booker: 91st (34.8%)
Brooks: 85th (35.3%)

 

[Hoop Head]

We got two picks back! Why is that part of the trade forgotten?

People are being so anal about a pick 7 years into the future.

2? We got a 2029 1st round pick with 4 teams having the ability to swap before we get it.

The pick we dealt was unprotected. That definitely isn't a fair swap. Talent wise we gave up 2 guys who produce more on average than Bridges also.

Trading that pick now, with 2 rotation players, was selling extremely low.

You can like the move, no one is saying you can't, but to claim others who think we lost that trade are being anal only highlights your inability to have respectful discussions. It was also our first tradable pick, since our future is mortgaged. When you have so few assets you shouldn't burn them as soon as theyre available.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

2? We got a 2029 1st round pick with 4 teams having the ability to swap before we get it.

The pick we dealt was unprotected. That definitely isn't a fair swap. Talent wise we gave up 2 guys who produce more on average than Bridges also.

Trading that pick now, with 2 rotation players, was selling extremely low.

You can like the move, no one is saying you can't, but to claim others who think we lost that trade are being anal only highlights your inability to have respectful discussions. It was also our first tradable pick, since our future is mortgaged. When you have so few assets you shouldn't burn them as soon as theyre available.

we cleared 30 million this year by trading grayson and oneale - neither of whom will start in charlotte

i imagine that was a hard sell - they basically have the same game and grayson is always banged up

we swapped out 2 bench players (small forwards) for a legit starting power foward and saved around 10 million this year in doing so - that more than covers goody's new contract at 6 million per year - so we got to keep/lock in goody for the next 3 years with the savings - i think he's special

draft picks scmaff picks - it's not where you select but who and it looks like we're getting better at that - and we're getting ahead of ourselves if we're not worried about these next 3 years as well - no telling what can happen

 

[Adrian]

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[taz02]

Overpaying for a player that fills a position you desperately need filled is common practice in the NBA. We desperately needed a starting PF, particularly the way Fleming looked in summer league.

Also, I'm pretty sure this was the best deal they could put together. I'm sure they didn't pass on a better PF for cheaper just so they can bring in a woman beater.

 

[Hoop Head]

we cleared 30 million this year by trading grayson and oneale - neither of whom will start in charlotte

i imagine that was a hard sell - they basically have the same game and grayson is always banged up

we swapped out 2 bench players (small forwards) for a legit starting power foward and saved around 10 million this year in doing so - that more than covers goody's new contract at 6 million per year - so we got to keep/lock in goody for the next 3 years with the savings - i think he's special

draft picks scmaff picks - it's not where you select but who and it looks like we're getting better at that - and we're getting ahead of ourselves if we're not worried about these next 3 years as well - no telling what can happen

The money saved is whatever. Nice for Ishbia but doesn't effect fan perspective. We aren't saving in the future if Bridges reups.

As to the rest, I don't believe he's a proven PF. He's only played that role on Charlotte the last 2 seasons and still averages less than 6 boards a game. There's a reason Ott wanted him to focus on rebounding and interior D and that has to do with him being new to that position. I'm not writing him off as a PF but I'll need to see more before I say he's a legit PF.

Saying we gave up 2 bench players isn't correct either since one of the two started regularly over the last 3 years they've been here,

I'm not saying he'll fail but he is improven in a few ways, he's coming from the East and never played for a winning team, and that's cause fod concern. If we protected the pick or had swap rights then I'd feel better about it. By the time that pick conveys Booker may have retired and who knows how this squad looks.

 

[Mainstreet]

The money saved is whatever. Nice for Ishbia but doesn't effect fan perspective. We aren't saving in the future if Bridges reups.

As to the rest, I don't believe he's a proven PF. He's only played that role on Charlotte the last 2 seasons and still averages less than 6 boards a game. There's a reason Ott wanted him to focus on rebounding and interior D and that has to do with him being new to that position. I'm not writing him off as a PF but I'll need to see more before I say he's a legit PF.

Saying we gave up 2 bench players isn't correct either since one of the two started regularly over the last 3 years they've been here,

I'm not saying he'll fail but he is improven in a few ways, he's coming from the East and never played for a winning team, and that's cause fod concern. If we protected the pick or had swap rights then I'd feel better about it. By the time that pick conveys Booker may have retired and who knows how this squad looks.

It's interesting to note, the Suns have made it to the Finals three times, all without prototypical power forwards, although noting one was Charles Barkley.

Something to think about.

 

[taz02]

It's interesting to note, the Suns have made it to the Finals three times, all without prototypical power forwards, although noting one was Charles Barkley.

Something to think about.

Maybe if we had PF's we would have a championship.

 

[boisesuns]

Maybe if we had PF's we would have a championship.

David stern cost us one