Phoenix Suns season prediction: 53-29 record, top-four finish in NBA West

Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
·2 min read
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A capsule look at the 2022-23 Phoenix Suns:

2021-22 recap

Regular season: 64-18 (franchise record, earned top overall seed in postseason).

Playoff run: Defeated (8 seed) New Orleans Pelicans, 4-2, in Western Conference first round; lost to (4 seed) Dallas Mavericks, 4-3, in conference semifinals.

Roster moves

Losses: JaVale McGee (signed three-year, $20.1M with Mavericks), Aaron Holiday (one-year deal with Atlanta Hawks), Frank Kaminsky (one-year deal with Hawks), Elfrid Payton (hasn’t signed with an NBA team).

Mar 4, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) reacts after a play during the second half against the New York Knicks at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder (99) reacts after a play during the second half against the New York Knicks at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Additions: Jock Landale (trade with Hawks for cash considerations), Damion Lee (one-year deal after playing for Golden State Warriors), Josh Okogie (one-year deal after playing for Minnesota Timberwolves), Duane Washington Jr. (two-way after playing for Indiana Pacers).

Unknown: Jae Crowder "mutually agreed" with Suns to miss training camp as team has been trying to trade the veteran forward.

Mar 24, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) talks with guard Chris Paul (3) before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.
Mar 24, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) talks with guard Chris Paul (3) before the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena.

Starting 5

PG: Chris Paul (14.7 ppg., 49.3% FG, 31.7% 3PT, 10.8 apg.).

SG: Devin Booker (26.8 ppg., 46.6%, 38.3% 3PT, 5 rpg.).

SF: Mikal Bridges (14.2 ppg., 53.4% FG, 36.9% 3PT, 4.2 rpg.).

PF: Cam Johnson (12.5 ppg., 46% FG, 42.5% 3PT, 4.1 rpg.).

C: Deandre Ayton (17.2 ppg., 63.4% FG, 36.8% 3PT, 10.2 rpg).

Sep 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges takes a shot as Cameron Johnson watches during practice at the Verizon 5G Performance Center.
Sep 27, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mikal Bridges takes a shot as Cameron Johnson watches during practice at the Verizon 5G Performance Center.

2022-23 prediction: 53-29

The Suns should finish top four in the West. With majority owner Robert Sarver deciding to sell Suns after backlash from the investigation findings, maybe the franchise can move forward a bit easier.

Maybe.

Phoenix will miss Crowder’s leadership, defensive versatility and intangibles, but Johnson’s upside and ability to stretch the floor could give the Suns a different look on offense.

How Paul holds up at age 37 will be under close surveillance. Booker has reached superstar status in making All-NBA first team. Can he play at that level all season?

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) and guard Devin Booker (1) walk to the bench during a time-out against the Adelaide 36ers at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Oct. 2, 2022.
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) and guard Devin Booker (1) walk to the bench during a time-out against the Adelaide 36ers at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Oct. 2, 2022.

Bench is in question as Cameron Payne looks to bounce back after down year, but Deandre Ayton is the X-factor.

Since “internal” Game 7, nothing has been the same. If he takes is game to an All-Star level, Ayton may prove to be the main reason Phoenix wins its first NBA title.

Quotable

“With all the distractions and all the stuff that we’ve been through, I’ll take where we are every day and we’re in a good place and we’re going to be in a better place." — Suns head coach Monty Williams.

Suns head coach Monty Williams speaks during a press conference on media day at Events on Jackson in Phoenix on Sept. 26, 2022.
Suns head coach Monty Williams speaks during a press conference on media day at Events on Jackson in Phoenix on Sept. 26, 2022.

 Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns season prediction: 53-29 record, top-four in NBA West