Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a last-minute addition that got cleared by the formula thanks to the acquisition of Kevin Durant at the NBA Trade Deadline. I’m not sure if the Suns make this list if it wasn’t for the addition of KD. Nevertheless, as KD becomes more and more comfortable with the team dynamics, there’s no question that the Suns are going to be a more-than-worthy contender in the playoffs.
The Suns don’t have a top-10 offense this season but they have had a top-10 defense. The integration of KD will change some of that, though. In the extremely small sample size that KD has played with the Suns (three games), Phoenix has a top-10 offense, defense, and the best net rating in the league. Again, it’s an extremely small sample size but also something the team should feel good about moving forward.
There may not be a team in the league that has a better top 4 players than what the Suns have in KD, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton. It’s starting to look as if the Suns may be the biggest competition for the Nuggets heading into the playoffs this season.