Suns fans must immediately let go of this common delusion

It's not happening.
Phoenix Suns, Mat Ishbia
Phoenix Suns, Mat Ishbia | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Suns retooled their roster this summer, starting with the Kevin Durant trade that didn't net the kind of return they needed. Along with Durant, Bradley Beal is gone. Devin Booker isn't going anywhere, not after he signed a two-year, $145 million maximum extension.

Phoenix doesn't have draft capital to look forward to (Mat Ishbia cashed it in), and doesn't have the talent on its roster to contend for a championship. The Suns might have a fighting chance if they played in the East, but even then, it wouldn't be easy. They're staring down another season in which they'll watch the playoffs from home.

It's understandable if you're more optimistic about Phoenix than you were four months ago. The Suns added young talent in Jalen Green (23), Mark Williams (23), and Khaman Maluach (18). Speaking of Williams and Maluach, they have more options at center (Williams will be the starter), and Nick Richards is still around, too. Malauch might not be NBA-ready, but he's still young.

There is also Dillon Brooks, who is the kind of defensive pest that Phoenix needs. It will be nice not to have to play against him.

But do those moves move the needle enough for the Suns to enter contender territory? Not at all.

Suns won't compete for a title next season, no matter what Ishbia thinks

The Western Conference will be a fight to the very end. Oklahoma City, Denver, and Houston are stacked. Both LA teams are a threat. Minnesota is scary, too. You can't forget about Golden State, which had a chance to make it to the conference finals before Steph Curry got hurt. Remember Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs? They have De'Aaron Fox now, too.

Those are eight teams that, barring some disaster, will finish before the Suns in the standings. It's hard to know what to expect from the Mavericks, but they now have Cooper Flagg. If Anthony Davis can stay healthy, Dallas will be a threat. Even the Grizzlies and Kings should post better records than Phoenix, even with their flaws.

That leaves the Trail Blazers, Pelicans, and Jazz. Portland finished with a 36-46 record this past season, which came as a surprise. New Orleans will try to win, but it can't get out of its way. Utah isn't trying to be competitive, but the Jazz have good young players.

Odds are stacked against the Suns to secure a Play-In Tournament berth. It would practically take a miracle for Phoenix to make it to the first round, not to mention win a postseason series.

Do yourself a favor and don't enter the season with any hope that the Suns will win a championship. Enjoy watching them play basketball again without the outside pressure that Phoenix needs to bring home the title.