Ranking Western Conference contenders after the trade deadline

1. Phoenix Suns

At 5th in the Western Conference with a 30-26 record on the day of the trade deadline, the Suns did not appear to have any chance of making it out of the Western Conference. That was until they made a late-night call to Sean Marks and the Brooklyn Nets, and traded for one of the best players of our generation, Kevin Durant.

Admittedly, this leaves Phoenix without much depth. However, that was a sacrifice they willingly made to bring in Durant, and one that should pay off. A playoff rotation including Cameron Payne, Damion Lee, Ish Wainright, Josh Okogie, and Bismack Biyombo doesn’t look like one of a championship contender. But add in the big four of Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton, and this team is easily the favorite in the West.

Still, the Suns are certainly beatable. Paul is nearing the end of his career, or at least his time as a productive player. Ayton is one of the most unpredictable players in the league in terms of his performance, and we don’t know how Booker will fare after missing significant time due to injury.

However, with so much on the line after going all-in like this, you have to expect Phoenix to be at their best come playoff time. If so, it’s hard to imagine anyone else taking home the Larry O’Brien this year.