How many times will Suns be on national TV on Opening Week?

There's been considerable buzz around the Phoenix Suns this offseason - but unlike last time out when they were pencilled in for an appearance in the NBA Finals by some - it has been far more measured. There's no doubt they have gotten better and have looked more cohesive in these tune up games, but talk of coming out of the West has been rightly non-existent.

The organization do have their core three stars in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal back in Phoenix for another run, which is why interest in this group is going to continue. At 36-years-old, this could be the last great year of Durant, although he's looking as good as ever after claiming a fourth Olympic gold medal in Paris.

All of this explains why the Suns feature so heavily across Opening Week.

The NBA have done a fantastic job of drumming up interest early and ensuring their biggest stars are on display on national television, which is why the Suns are going to be on display twice across the first five days of action. Interestingly, neither of these contests will take place in Phoenix as the Suns begin their campaign on the road.

First up is a meeting with the L.A. Clippers - a game in which the Suns will make a little bit of history - in what in theory should be a clash between two star-studded franchises. Only the Clippers watched as Paul George walked to the Philadelphia 76ers this summer, while Kawhi Leonard essentially admitted at media day that his knees will never be the same again.

He's already a doubt for the game, which means it will likely be up to James Harden to run the show on the night. A role he perfected in Houston with the Rockets, although at 35-years-old it is surely a concern for the Clippers that he is championing the style of basketball that Luka Doncic is having such success with right now.

In theory the Suns have the advantage here - although the first game in a new stadium could give the Clippers a boost - and it will go down on ESPN at 10pm E.T. The team will then stay in Los Angeles as two nights later - again on ESPN at the same time - the Suns will go head-to-head with the old enemy in the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers already have an unfair advantage over the Suns and everybody else in the league, and this will mark the third time the Suns will have seen LeBron James and Anthony Davis in quick succession. The two having played a pair of preseason games, before facing off in what will be the second game of the season for both.

The obvious appeal here is that it may be the last time we ever see James and Durant square off, although added spice could come in the form of Bronny James being added into the equation. He has looked off the pace so far - and with the Lakers due to begin their season in another nationally televised game against the Minnesota Timberwolves - the younger James could be held out.

The Timberwolves are young, hungry and could target Bronny from the jump. Hard not to imagine Anthony Edwards going at James Jr. like he did Jalen Brunson in preseason, celebrating like he won a championship after successfull shutting the All-Star guard down. Better to have him make his debut - then likely swiftly head for the G League - against a good friend of his father's in Durant.

Lots to look forward to then if you're a Suns fan, with the prospect of going 2-0 away from home to start the season very much alive. It will also be an early chance for casual fans to see the revolution new head coach Mike Budenholzer is implementing, which has already seen this team shoot a ton more 3-pointers throughout preseason.