Phoenix Suns: Ranking Each Player on Defense for the 2021-22 Season

Phoenix Suns Players Ranked on Defense: Second Tier

#4 Cameron Johnson

With rare quickness and size, Cameron Johnson joins Bridges and Crowder to complete this trio of astute wing defenders. With a larger sample size, he might climb into this list’s top tier, but for now, sits slightly behind Crowder and company.

Nonetheless, Johnson posted the highest defensive rating by any Sun averaging more than 20.0 minutes per game last season. He also finished with the fourth most defensive win shares despite coming off the bench. If Johnson finds his way into the starting lineup for whatever reason next year, then he owns a solid chance blossom into what Bridges already embodies.

#5 Deandre Ayton

As an anchor down low for the Suns, Ayton stands as Phoenix’s most irreplaceable player. Only Ayton’s lacking discipline keeps him off this list’s top tier, with the Milwaukee Bucks exposing him by pushing him into foul trouble during the Finals last year.

But when judging Ayton purely on his defensive talent and physical tools, he stacks up well even against all-league defenders like Bridges, Paul, and Crowder. Last year, he averaged 1.2 blocks per game, and also finished with a 23.6 rebounding percentage, the 14th highest across the entire league. Make no mistake about it, wants to invade this guy’s paint. .