Suns Ring of Honor: Who's Next to Join?
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns are expanding the official franchise Ring of Honor by one when they induct franchise legend Amar'e Stoudemire at halftime of tonight's game against the Houston Rockets.
The question now is: who will follow in his footsteps?
There are several worthy candidates to be next in line, but not everyone can actually make the cut.
Devin Booker
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An absolute no-brainer.
Booker has potential to become the greatest to ever suit up for the Suns by the time his career is finished.
Already a shoe-in for the Ring of Honor and the Basketball Hall of Fame, Booker has exceeded every expectation in the book since being drafted 13th overall by Phoenix in 2015.
Stoudemire's number 32 jersey is the only one being retired for a reason - no one will ever wear number 1 for the Phoenix Suns again at the conclusion of Booker's career.
Kevin Durant
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Durant has a chance to make Phoenix the most remembered part of his legacy over the coming seasons - especially if he is able to deliver a title to the city.
Number 35 has only been in Phoenix for a little over a year, but it's pretty clear that he has embraced the city and the city has embraced him back.
Durant is also the best player to ever put on a Suns uniform - even topping Steve Nash and Charles Barkley.
A few more strong seasons and a title would assure Durant gets recognized as a Suns legend in the future.
Chris Paul
Chris Paul should be a Suns Ring of Honor member a few years down the road.
Will he be recognized eventually?
It's certainly possible that Paul recognition happens eventually, but his untimely trade to the Washington Wizards along with new Suns guard Bradley Beal replacing him in wearing the number 3 jersey make things a bit murkier.
While Paul still could be immortalized someday, it isn't the slam-dunk bet that it was a year ago.
Mike D'Antoni & Monty Williams
Mike D'Antoni and Monty Williams both should be recognized as this era's Cotton Fitzimmons and Paul Westphal - the two greatest coaches of the first half of Suns' history.
Although D'Antoni nor Williams secured the elusive title for Phoenix, both played instrumental roles in orchestrating some of the most memorable moments in Suns' history - especially for the new generation of fans.
The two coaches may not be as likely as others, but they deserve recognition as well.
Bonus: Mikal Bridges
Mikal Bridges endeared himself to nearly all of the Suns' fanbase during his time in Phoenix from 2018-23.
Bridges was arguably the heart and soul of the 2021 NBA runner-up squad and was always an upstanding professional through ownership turmoil/trade rumors, among other things.
Bridges also has a potential chance to add to his Suns legacy in 2026 - when he is a free agent and could possibly make the decision to make a return to the Valley.
