It\u2019s no secret that the Phoenix Suns have defied expectations so far in 2025-26.<\/p>\n
OK, it\u2019s actually become one of the more intriguing NBA storylines this season as pundits and fans give the Suns their flowers for putting together a competitive record despite trading away Kevin Durant, paying Bradley Beal to not play for them, bringing in a new head coach and missing Jalen Green \u2014 the key piece in the KD trade \u2014 for most of the season thus far.<\/p>\n
But is what the Suns have accomplished thus far sustainable as we look ahead to 2026?<\/p>\n
ESPN seems to think so<\/a>.<\/p>\n Suns projected as an NBA playoff play-in team by ESPN<\/p>\n According to their Basketball Power Index, ESPN has the Suns finishing the season with a 43-39 record \u2014 good enough for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, which would make Phoenix a play-in team.<\/p>\n A 43-39 mark would be far from the best in franchise history, but finishing above .500 as a team in flux after such massive offseason maneuvering would be quite the accomplishment.<\/p>\n So, too, would be making the playoffs after the utter letdown of 2024-25 under head coach Mike Budenholzer, who was unable to guide a roster with Durant and Devin Booker to postseason play.<\/p>\n ESPN projects the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors as the Western Conference teams who\u2019ll finish ahead of the Suns in the standings at season\u2019s end.<\/p>\n They note the Rockets have the most favorable remaining schedule, which could give them a leg up as far as the standings go.<\/p>\n Outside of that, there\u2019s not much to write home about for Phoenix. No Suns players crack their awards watch, and ESPN lists Booker as their (eventual) biggest All-Star snub. Writer Zach Kram pointed out Booker\u2019s lackluster 3-point shooting numbers<\/a> as the primary reason why he\u2019ll get overlooked in the All-Star conversation this year.<\/p>\n