2. Orlando Magic (69 games)/Charlotte Hornets (68 games)
Not quite a tie with the Orlando Magic shading it, but it felt appropriate to group the two organizations together here. Not that the Magic will be happy with that, despite only coming into existence in 1989, they've already appeared in the NBA Finals twice. One less than the Suns, although neither have ever won a championship.
Both the Charlotte Hornets (LaMelo Ball) and Magic (Paolo Banchero) now have a star that Suns fans will willingly come out to watch when they're in town, and the Magic in particular look like a franchise that is ascending right now. The Hornets still have a lot to figure out, although taking Brandon Miller second overall in 2023 NBA Draft is looking like a wise decision.
What is Paolo Banchero’s Ceiling?! 📈 pic.twitter.com/mGzMy7lZ98
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) August 27, 2024
The Suns hold a 43-25 record all-time over the Hornets, and are 9-1 in their last 10 meetings. Clearly then this group doesn't mind going East when they see Charlotte on the schedule, although it is a little different with the Magic. Again the Suns are up 41-28 overall, but only hold a slender 6-4 lead across their last 10 meetings.
The idea of the Suns coming up against one of these two in the NBA Finals would be ratings suicide for the league, even with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on display. Luckily for Commissioner Adam Silver and company, these matchups will continue to be a twice yearly thing, most likely forever more.