Fourth Phoenix Suns player listed in top 10 position rankings

Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton earned himself a four-year, $133 million contract this offseason, owing to a productive four seasons in the league since being taken with the number one overall pick in 2018.

Ayton and the Suns continue to harbor optimism that the 24-year-old will become an All-Star level player across the course of his next contract. But where exactly does he sit heading into the 2022-23 season?

Deandre Ayton has joined Phoenix Suns teammates Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges as top 10 players in their respective position rankings.

Frank Urbina of HoopsHype has released his position rankings over the last five weeks, concluding with the center position a couple of days ago.

Ayton has been ranked fifth on the list following a career best season for the Bahamian. He averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds during the regular season, although Urbina believes he still has a way to go in developing his consistency.

"“His issues with consistency still need some sorting out, as when he’s on, Ayton makes a huge impact on both ends of the floor but when he’s off, he can get played off the floor, which happened in the playoffs last year”."

Back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic edged out Philadelphia big man Joel Embiid for the top spot on the list. The versatility of Miami’s Bam Adebayo earned him third spot, while Rudy Gobert’s defensive production led him to fourth on the list.

Jokic and Embiid appear in an unchallenged league of their own as two of the most dominant forces in the NBA. Outside of them, there’s no reason why continued improvement couldn’t see Ayton rise to the top of the remaining crop.

Booker was ranked by Urbina as the best shooting-guard in the league, Paul the sixth best point-guard, and Bridges the tenth best small-forward heading into next season.