The Phoenix Suns were just two wins away from bringing the Larry O’Brien trophy to the valley for the first time ever this past summer. Unfortunately for Suns fans Giannis and the Bucks stole four straight to secure the NBA Championship, the Suns are battle ready and experienced as they enter the 2021-2022 NBA season as championship contenders.
Additions:
- JaVale McGee
- Elfrid Payton
- Landry Shamet
- Chandler Hutchison
Departures:
- Jevon Carter
- Torrey Craig
- Langston Galloway
- Ty-Shon Alexander
- E’Twaun Moore
Offseason Recap:
The Sun’s front office motto this offseason, “Run it Back”. Just a day after the NBA free agency frenzy began James Jones and company secured their backcourt duo for the foreseeable future by re-signing Chris Paul to a 4-year deal worth up to $120 million. The team also re-signed Cameron Payne and Frank Kaminsky to solidify the second unit. Outside of internal moves the team focused on adding more weapons off the bench. On a draft night deal the Suns acquired sharpshooter Landry Shamet, who should slide right behind Devin Booker in the depth chart. The shooting guard is a career 40% 3ts
point shooter and should give the Suns another viable catch and shoot threat off the bench. Veterans Elfrid Payton and JaVale McGee further cement the depth of the Sun’s roster and should provide the team valuable minutes throughout the season.
2021-2022 Roster:
Staters: Second Team: Third Team: Injuries:
PG: Chris Paul Cameron Payne Elfrid Payton Dario Saric (Torn ACL)
SG: Devin Booker Landry Shamet
SF: Mikal Bridges Cameron Johnson Abdel Nader
PF: Jae Crowder Jalen Smith Chandler Hutchison
C: Deandre Ayton Javale McGee Frank Kaminsky
Season Predictions:
For the first time since the “Seven Seconds or Less” era the Suns enter the NBA season as serious championship contenders. After an 8-0 bubble run two seasons ago and a surprise trip to the NBA finals last summer this Sun’s team will rely on Devin Booker to continue his trend towards superstar status, future Hall of Famer Chris Paul to replicate his old-age magic, and budding stars Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton to continue their development as elite players in the league.
For a team that won 51 games in a slightly shortened season last year and has another year of chemistry under their belt the Suns will be managing high expectations throughout the season.
Prediction: The Suns finish as the third seed in the West with a 53-29 record.
It is already difficult enough to replicate a run to the NBA finals, but with a healthy Laker team, playoff proven rosters in the Clippers, Jazz, and Nuggets and expected improval by the Warriors, Mavericks, and Grizzlies it will be that much more difficult for the Suns to duplicate the playoff success they had last season. However, the Suns are still one of the NBA’s most complete rosters and should at least make a run in the playoffs.
Prediction: The Suns lose in 6 games to the second-seeded Lakers in the second round of the playoffs.
