NBA Power Rankings: Preview the Los Angeles Lakers and the rest

Dearly Departed: Ricky Rubio, Frank Kaminsky, Aron Baynes, Ellie Okobo, Kelly Oubre

New Additions: Chris Paul, Jae Crowder, Langston Galloway, Jalen Smith, Ty-Shon Alexander, Damian Jones, E’Twaun Moore

Win Projection/Prediction: 38/Over

The Phoenix Suns are back. It all started with an 8-0 run and a superstar spike by Devin Booker to set them on the right path. The trade for Chris Paul and the successive free agent acquisitions hammered it home. The Suns are ready to be taken seriously as part of the playoff picture.

Booker was everything the team could have wanted last year and made his first All-Star game (albeit as an alternate) because of it. He is coming into his own as a leader and thrived playing alongside a true point guard for the first time. All due respect to Ricky Rubio, but replacing him with Chris Paul is taking the training wheels all the way off.

Paul was the best clutch player in the league last season and will be playing with better teammates in Phoenix. He showed last year that he is willing to defer when needed and imaging him in the pick and roll with Deandre Ayton is tantalizing.

Speaking of Ayton, he was a revelation in the 38 games he appeared in. He posted a line of 18.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 blocks per game and thrived as the season went along. Without any further suspensions, he has a chance to fight for an All-Star berth.

The Suns are loaded with wing talent from last season (Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson Dario Saric) and free agency (Jae Crowder, Langston Galloway) that will help them contend with the elites. Jalen Smith was criticized when he was selected but he is a wonderful replacement for Aron Baynes and should thrive next to Ayton. The Suns were a surprise in the bubble. This year they are just good.