Suns Projected to Again Fall Short of NBA Finals

The Phoenix Suns have assembled the talent. Now, it's nearly time to make good on their potential.

It doesn't feel far removed from 2021, when the Suns struck lightning and made a magical run to the NBA Finals. Taking a 2-0 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks, it felt inevitable Phoenix would bring home a franchise-first championship.

Yet Suns fans know all too well how that story ended - the Bucks would win their next four to steal the series and leave Phoenix empty-handed to this very day.

A new era under owner Mat Ishbia is here, and expectations to bring home a title are again high with a roster headlined by Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal among other strong players.

ESPN's panel of basketball experts recently voted on who they believed would win the West/East for 2023-24, and the Denver Nuggets are again expected to win the conference:

Suns Finish No. 2 in Western Conference Playoffs

1. Denver Nuggets: 106 points (76% of first-place votes)

2. Phoenix Suns: 60 points (12%)

3. Golden State Warriors: 27 points (8%)

4. Los Angeles Lakers: 24 points (4%)

5. L.A. Clippers: 6 points

T-6. Minnesota Timberwolves: 1 point

T- 6. Sacramento Kings: 1 point

"It's almost unfair," wrote ESPN's staff.

"The Nuggets are the indisputable favorites in the West after a dominating regular season led to a sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference finals and a 4-1 series win over the Heat for their first NBA championship. The biggest question is whether anyone can take them down.

"Our panel believes the Suns are the worthiest opponent after a roster restructure that resulted in as scary and skilled of a Big Three as you'll find in the league in Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker. Sitting at third, after leading the list last summer, are the Warriors, who could make another run at the crown after adding Chris Paul to one of the deepest teams."

The Nuggets received nearly half of the votes to win the NBA Finals, beating out the Bucks, Boston Celtics, Suns and Miami Heat to round out the top five.

Suns Finish No. 4 in NBA Finals Voting

1. Denver Nuggets: 80 points (48% of first-place votes)

2. Milwaukee Bucks: 49 points (28%)

3. Boston Celtics: 32 points (4%)

4. Phoenix Suns: 30 points (8%)

5. Miami Heat: 22 points (12%)

6. Golden State Warriors: 6 points

7. Los Angeles Lakers: 5 points

8. Minnesota Timberwolves: 1 point

Could Denver run away in the West? ESPN believes so.

"Despite a loaded Western Conference, our 2024 Summer Forecast panel predicts a repeat: The Denver Nuggets will win a second consecutive title. It hardly seems close that any team in the West will challenge them," they said.