Suns Analysis

Where do the Suns stack up in the Western Conference?

The season is almost upon us. It’s time to start thinking about the Western Conference again.

By Brandon Duenas Aug 19, 2024, 6:00am MST

The Phoenix Suns won 49 games last season, which was good for the 6th and final seed to avoid the play-in tournament.

The 2024-25 NBA schedule was finally released last week. With that in mind, I started thinking about the Suns’ opponents. Where do they stack up? The West has gotten deeper overall and should be a gauntlet (again).

This pecking order will be based solely on regular season records, not my belief of the team in a playoff series because that’s an entirely different story.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Phoenix Suns - Game Four

TIER 1: The “Favorites”

Oklahoma City Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves

The teams are young and dangerous led by emerging stars in SGA and Antman. The supporting casts are deep and they should only get better, especially OKC.

Alex Caruso was an awesome addition to the Thunder. Chet should only get better in year two and Jalen Williams could be due for a true breakout season. The Thunder have all the weapons to repeat their number one overall finish in the West and make a serious run at a title after gaining some playoff experience a year ago.

The Wolves have the experience to hang in the top tier after finishing 3rd in the West just behind the Thunder and Nuggets a season ago. Edwards has the twin tower duo of Rudy Gobert and KAT returning along with defensive menace Jaden McDaniels and the veteran Mike Conley.

Their bench remains strong with Naz Reid, NAW, and the addition of Joe Ingles to replace Kyle Anderson. Sleep on them at your own risk. They aren’t going anywhere.

Minnesota Timberwolves v Oklahoma City Thunder

TIER 2: Hanging around the top

Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets

These are all veteran teams capable of winning any given series and could each find themselves in tier 1 if questions are answered during the season.

Dallas made a “splash” by adding Klay Thompson, but is it the right move? Only time will tell. In the meantime, they still have Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving leading the way, making them a potent offense on any given night. The size and athleticism added last deadline helps too. They’re going to be a tough out yet again and have a chance to take the West if they can put it together.

Dallas Mavericks introductory press conference

Denver lost KCP, and that’s a tough blow. They did acquire Russell Westbrook and Dario Saric to shore up their bench. Can Christian Braun and Julian Strawther have a breakout season? They will likely need it with their depth taking another hit for the second consecutive offseason. As long as the Joker is there, they are a problem. Will he have enough help for another title run? That is the question they face entering the season.

The Phoenix Suns belong in this tier for now until proven otherwise. I believe finishing in the 3-5 range is reasonable with their current roster.

50 wins should be the target range, and I think 50 wins in the 2024-25 season will mean more than 50 did last year. Looking at the depth of the West, it’s a gauntlet. The addition of Tyus Jones “saved” the offseason for a Suns team that is ready to prove the doubters wrong.

TIER 3: Talented teams with questions

Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings

These teams are both capable of breaking into tier 2 from a talent perspective but also have a bit more to prove than the teams in that tier. Memphis has the talent over a tier 1 team, but the question is will they put it all together?

Ja Morant is electric and they have a strong core surrounding him with Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Marcus Smart. Zach Edey could make an instant impact as a big in limited stretches. They have young talent around that group. It’s a dangerous squad, but it all hinges on what kind of season Ja puts together.

The Kings addition of DeRozan should not be slept on. Sabonis and Fox are a dynamic duo and they have strong depth pieces with Malik Monk and Keegan Murray complimenting the star trio. They could leap a tier (or two) if they click with the new addition. Watch out for the Kings!

TIER 4: The Wild Card Cluster

Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, New Orleans Pelicans, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Clippers.

This group is filled with teams I could see going either direction depending on health and performance from key additions/subtractions. You have the veteran teams that may be on the decline, or teams that could figure it out and make one last run.

The Lakers are getting older (LeBron) but it simply doesn’t seem to phase him. If Bron and AD stay healthy and their role players excel, this is a team that could exceed expectations.

The Pelicans are the most volatile team in this group in either direction. If their stars stay healthy (Zion, Ingram, and Murray) and they click they have the upside to shoot up near the top of the West. They don't really have a center after losing Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr., so we’ll see.

The Warriors still have Steph and Draymond and added Buddy Hield to replace Klay. If their young guys step up and everything goes right, you just can’t count out Steph putting together one last playoff run. If not, this team could be lottery-bound.

The Rockets and Spurs will both be young and fun with loads of talent. The Clippers are the opposite... old and mostly boring, but they still have Harden and Kawhi so they cannot be ruled out just yet either.

This is the tier I had the most trouble with.

TIER 5: The Rest

Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers

These teams stink. The Jazz should probably be in a tier above Portland because they have more talent and will likely overperform expectations early again but ultimately will be sellers when the time comes.

The Blazers have some interesting young talent, but will lose a lot of games. The end.