Do Suns Have Best Trio in NBA?

Star power typically tops all in the NBA, something the Phoenix Suns have been bystanders of for far too long before new owner Mat Ishbia took over.

The team flexed their muscles in a previous trade for Chris Paul years ago, and though the Suns were able to make a magical run to the 2021 NBA Finals, there's still an empty spot where the Larry O'Brien trophy is expected to be.

Months ago, the Suns made a massive move for Kevin Durant and again fell short in the postseason. Phoenix knew they needed one more piece under Durant and Devin Booker - and thus Bradley Beal now finds himself in the Valley.

Championship expectations are as high as ever here in Phoenix, and the trio of Beal-Booker-Durant is considered to be one of the best in the league.

But are they the best?

Bleacher Report went through the best "big three" squads, and the Suns fell behind only the Denver Nuggets' trio of Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray.

"We already got a taste of what Durant and Booker are capable of, as the two combined to average 62.7 points, 13.5 rebounds, 12.7 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.2 blocks over 11 playoff games. A net rating of plus-18.4 together in the regular season ranked first among every group on this list, while Beal had a swing rating of plus-4.2 for the Washington Wizards a year ago," wrote Greg Swartz.

"While it's fair to question if Beal can live up to his massive contract in a lesser role, there's no debating his talent.

"The 30-year-old's 23.3 points per game came on a career-high 50.6 percent shooting overall last season. He can operate on or off ball, knocking down 40.0 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes. On shots that were deemed "wide open" (defender six or more feet away), his three-point accuracy increased to 46.0 percent. Now alongside the two most talented teammates he's ever had, he should get more open looks than ever.

"Both Beal and Booker can effectively act as a point guard, a role Booker had to play a lot following Chris Paul's groin injury in the playoffs. The star guard responded with 7.2 assists to just 2.9 turnovers in 11 postseason games.

"This is the most dynamic offensive trio in the NBA, one that should have the Suns competing for titles over the next several years."

The Suns finished ahead of trios such as the Boston Celtics (Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum), Los Angeles Lakers (LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves) and New Orleans Pelicans (C.J. McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson).