The Phoenix Suns have been placed at No. 20 in a prominent set of NBA preseason power rankings. This positioning arrives as the team aims to move past a difficult final stretch from the previous campaign, which concluded with a 122-131 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 28, 2026.
A top-20 spot might seem modest for a franchise with championship aspirations. But it signals that analysts still view Phoenix as a legitimate part of the league's competitive middle tier. The ranking acknowledges the team's talent base while also reflecting the significant questions hanging over the roster entering the new season. It's not a dismissal, but a cautious placement that leaves room for growth.
Offseason roster changes are a major talking point. The Suns added forwards Miles Bridges and Luke Kennard while losing rotation pieces Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale. Center Mark Williams remains in the team's plans, but his recovery from shoulder surgery will sideline him for months. The potential breakout candidate is Khaman Maluach. The second-year center dominated Summer League, putting up 19.5 points and 12.8 rebounds per game while hitting 40% from three-point range over four contests. That small sample offered a glimpse of a player who could stretch defenses with his size and shooting.
Then there's Devin Booker. He remains the unquestioned centerpiece, averaging 25.2 points and 6.3 assists last season. Concerns about his efficiency, however, create the biggest question surrounding the team's ceiling. If Booker can regain his most dangerous offensive form, the Suns still possess an elite foundation. His performance will directly impact the team's ability to climb the standings and improve on their recent 1W-4L form.
The power ranking context is sharpened by the Suns' finish to the last season. Their final five games resulted in one win and four losses (LLLLW), including dropping the last four in a row. That skid featured consecutive defeats to the Oklahoma City Thunder: 109-121 on April 25, 120-107 on April 23, and 119-84 on April 19. Their lone win in that sequence was a 135-103 victory over those same Thunder on April 13. A 101-73 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 11 preceded that run. You can review the full schedule and upcoming challenges on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
This recent history shows the volatility the rankings attempt to capture. The Suns have shown they can dominate, as in the April 13 win, but consistency eluded them. Integrating new players like Bridges and Kennard will be essential to stabilizing performance. Coach Mike Budenholzer's system must find a way to maximize Booker's talents while developing Maluach's promising two-way game. The ranking at No. 20 is a starting point, not a destination. Phoenix has the pieces to outperform it, but turning potential into wins on the court is the next required step. The preseason will offer the first clues.
