NBA World Has Little Confidence in Phoenix Suns

The Suns have a real chance to silence doubters in 2024-25.

May 17, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Mike Budenholzer speaks alongside General Manager James Jones during a press conference to announce his job as head coach of the Phoenix Suns. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports | Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Phoenix Suns have a tepid future ahead of them - according to national pundits and fans alike.

The Suns began showing real cracks in terms of being a legitimate title contender this past season as early as December.

The season was certainly marred by untimely injuries and the staff/players being on the wrong page, but there was also a relatively common opinion around the basketball world that the team just lacked the "it" factor.

That figures to extend into the 2024-25 season as well, unfortunately.

Hard to take the Suns seriously as an NBA Finals contender the way they keep melting down in fourth quarters. What an embarrassing loss to the Grizzlies without Ja Morant. Phoenix just doesn't have IT.

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) January 8, 2024

The Suns are likely to range anywhere from 8th to 12th in title odds pertaining to post-finals betting odds in the American market, and the national media is likely to have similar beliefs before the opening of free agency, where Phoenix is extremely limited in options.

.@LegsESPN believes we should expect MORE from the Suns.

"At minimum, they should be considered a legitimate title contender. Nobody is talking about the Phoenix Suns in that vein." pic.twitter.com/CKIWwCxaiI

— First Take (@FirstTake) April 2, 2024

The sentiment has extended to the new head coach hire as well.

While the acknowledgement that Mike Budenholzer is an upgrade from his predecessor along with being a stronger cultural fit, the general thought process is that a coaching change is simply not enough to remedy a roster that is chalk-full of talent but void of fit or intention.

Phoenix Suns 20/1 odds to win it all next season via @BetOnline_ag .

Thoughts? #NBAFinals #Suns pic.twitter.com/T69BgT3v28

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) June 3, 2024

The truth is that while the Suns have a bleak present and future at the surface, it's ultimately difficult to count out a team headlined by a trio of stars to the degree of what the Suns have.

Much can change in the next month between the draft and free agency as well. It simply is too premature to give up on this team heading into the 2024-25 season.