The Phoenix Suns defied all expectations a season ago by winning 45 games en route to the Play-In Tournament and, eventually, the first round of the NBA Playoffs. While the vibe shift in The Valley following the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade happened quickly, there’s reason to believe the winds could shift for the Suns in 2026-27 due to roster changes and a stronger conference.
Although Phoenix is running back most of last year’s roster after re-signing Dillon Brooks, Collin Gillespie, Mark Williams and Jordan Goodwin in free agency, the departure of sharpshooting wings Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale in order to add Miles Bridges will undoubtedly hinder the team’s offensive floor spacing. The free-agent signing of 3-point sniper Luke Kennard clearly helps and was a necessary move after the trade, but he can’t make up for 371 missing 3-pointers by himself.
Suns offense set to see tweaks with new personnel
Jordan Ott’s offense will have to change to accommodate what Bridges brings to the table as a more traditional interior power forward, which will be an adjustment for everyone.
That doesn’t even account for a (hopefully) healthy Jalen Green, who played just 32 games throughout his debut season in Phoenix. As a result of his recurring hamstring injury, the Suns didn’t have quite enough reps to get Green comfortable in Ott’s rotations. They went 17-15 when Green played and 28-22 when he was sidelined, then went 1-5 in postseason play with him in the mix.
Williams, meanwhile, the frequently injured starting center, played 60 games for the Suns last season. That was a career high for him in games, having only played a high of 44 games in three prior seasons with the Hornets. His health will remain a question mark, but at least the Suns have Khaman Maluach waiting for his time to shine.
Internal questions aside, Phoenix may be poised to regress if only because teams around the Western Conference landscape used the trade deadline and the 2026 offseason to improve.
Western Conference landscape may knock Suns down the standings
Putting aside the fact that Ott and the coaching staff will have to keep cohesion with new additions year-to-year, the Western Conference around the Suns continues to find upgrades.
A post-Finals power ranking from ESPN had Phoenix tumbling down the board, clocking in at No. 21 in the league — a big dip from the No. 15 slot the Suns held prior to that. A more recent ESPN power ranking on July 24 wasn’t much better for the Suns, who moved up just one slot to the No. 20 team in the league.
The Utah Jazz, who finished in the basement as the worst team in the conference a season ago, added Jaren Jackson Jr. via trade and Kansas standout Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick in the draft. The Portland Trail Blazers, who beat the Suns in the Play-In Tournament thanks to a stellar performance from Deni Avdija, will get Damian Lillard back from injury in addition to adding Ja Morant via trade. If one or both of those guys turn back the clock, Portland could also be a team on the rise.
The Dallas Mavericks, likewise, will get healthier with Kyrie Irving set to run the point next to Rookie of the Year winner Cooper Flagg. The Spurs, Thunder, Nuggets, Lakers, Rockets, and Timberwolves should all be considered above the Suns until proven otherwise.
The Suns had a feel-good season in 2025-26, but there’s no guarantee of success in the NBA. Of course, there’s also no guarantee Phoenix will regress, but the coming season will be a huge litmus test for Ott and Co. to eclipse expectations yet again and prove this team was not simply a flash in the pan.
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