Suns Receive Mixed Reviews in NBA Power Rankings After LeBron James Signing

The NBA world got flipped upside down on Friday morning when LeBron James announced he would be signing with the Philadelphia 76ers - including the Phoenix Suns, despite the organization being part of the Western Conference.

The view of where the Suns are projected to go during the course of the 2026-27 season is somewhat murky in the scope of the consensus, although there remains optimism that Phoenix can counter the concerns that are slated to face them.

Follow where the Suns are being perceived around the league below:

ESPN: 19

Bleacher Report: 22

Both publications are unsure about how the incoming Miles Bridges will fit with the franchise. The general sentiment seems to be that Phoenix might be trading out a slight talent upgrade for continuity - including sacrificing two players that were vital to the culture change last season (Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale) in the process. 

Questions rooted in what Jordan Ott will do with what will seemingly be a crowded rotation also remain. The theory is that minutes will open up via the departures of Allen and O'Neale, but the rotation remains compact regardless - especially with the expectation that Jalen Green will be available on a more reliable basis.

Dilemmas that exist include balancing fielding rotations that are most battle-tested in an effort to win games with developing the youthful talent on the team, reshaping the three-point shooting infrastructure, and setting the stage for Luke Kennard/Bridges to buy into the gritty defensive style that the 2025-26 squad thrived on.

Roundtable: 15

The Suns continue to rise in power rankings from other publications, but still aren't quite as high as they are here. 

The rationale for Phoenix being directly in the 50th percentile of the league is clear - they finished in the top 10 in defensive rating last season and 16th in offensive rating. They profiled as an above-average squad for the vast majority of the season, so finishing in the middle of the league feels to be the floor this time around - especially since they have no incentive to tank. 

The trade for Bridges absolutely has potential to backfire, but the Phoenix coaching staff is simply too strong for this to be a likely proposition. Expect Devin Booker to bounce back as a scorer in the season ahead as well - his ability as a top-tier floor raiser will come out in the best ways.

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Kevin Hicks is a contributing writer to SunsRoundtable. He can be reached on X @khicks_21.