PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns are not necessarily considered title contenders ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Perhaps this is well deserved, as last season the Suns suffered a cruel first-round playoff exit after being swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves, leading to the firing of new coach Frank Vogel.

Although most believe Mike Budenholzer would be a better fit, the Suns still enter training camp with a new coach and a largely similar roster led by stars like Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker.

It feels like the Western Conference only got tougher in the offseason, giving the Suns a tough time once again.

Still, it’s a talented team, and Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports called the Suns a surprise team in her Western Conference rankings, placing Phoenix at No. 5 with the following reasoning:

“No single person can fix the Suns franchise, but if there’s one coach who can at least lead them in the right direction, it’s Mike Budenholzer. Phoenix’s new coach has a ton of talent to draw on in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Co., who finished as the No. 6 seed in the playoffs in the West last season but were knocked out in the first round by the Minnesota Timberwolves. As embarrassing as the Suns organization has been over the years, I actually think last season will give them strength for the new season.”

Ahead of Phoenix, the Oklahoma City Thunder (No. 1), Dallas Mavericks (No. 2), Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 3) and Denver Nuggets (No. 4) occupy the top 5.

Among the Suns, the Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Clippers complete the top ten.

That’s probably where the Suns belong at this point, although they have plenty of opportunity to once again establish themselves as the top team in their conference.