The Phoenix Suns have been long eliminated from the playoffs, but that doesn't mean that they are not paying attention to what is happening in the Western Conference in particular.
The Oklahoma City Thunder having swept them while looking like they might do the same to the Los Angeles Lakers, and really the Suns should be looking for them to repeat.
Thunder dominance makes Suns sweep look less impressive
With the Thunder currently 3-0 up over the Los Angeles Lakers, who are without Luka Doncic, all that series is doing is making the Suns' own campaign look even better.
Their head coach JJ Redick is coaching a hell of a series against this likely dynasty, in much the same way that Suns' leading man Jordan Ott did the same thing.
His decision to play both Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach was brave and could have paid off if a couple of games went differently.
Bigger bodies giving the Thunder some trouble is exactly why starting center Mark Williams is generating interest from elsewhere around the league as well.
If the Thunder can go back-to-back, then it will make Phoenix's own decision to run it back with their own core more understandable.
A secondary reason to want the Thunder to win at least this series anyway? Any excuse for the Lakers to get a public hiding.
The fact Deandre Ayton has struggled for much of the series will also have brought enjoyment to The Valley, while their own future is in some ways less certain than that of the Suns.
Yes they have Doncic and Austin Reaves (for now), while LeBron James has been incredible even at 41-years-old.
But if they get swept as most predict then more questions are going to be asked in Los Angeles this offseason than in Phoenix where they had a successful season.
Getting behind the kind of basketball the Thunder play is hard to do, and the foul baiting has reached another level in their series versus the Lakers.
Yet you can put a positive spin on that as well, with rival fans now understanding what it was the Suns had to endure in their own matchup.
They are incredibly difficult to beat at the best of times, without having to also contend with the whistle their players receive most nights.
Despite all of that, a Thunder victory over the Lakers and in these playoffs should be the most desired outcome for the Suns after their own exit.
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