Who is the best of the Second Tier Suns?
The end of the season. A time for reflection. A time for remembering. And, of course, a time for rankings. We press on with the annual SunsRank, diving into the second tier of Phoenix Suns players and their place beneath the wonderfully subjective umbrella of “best.”
Who’s the best? A fun question, no doubt, mostly because there’s no real right answer, and that’s half the entertainment.
We’ve already knocked out Tier 1. Here’s where we are so far…
- Kevin Durant
- Devin Booker
- …
And now, we arrive at Tier 2. Big thanks to everyone who voted on where the Suns’ players should land across Tiers 1, 2, and 3. Genuinely helpful seeing where the community draws the lines on this roster. After all, these rankings belong to you. We’ll get to our writing team’s takes once the dust settles.
Tier 2, affectionately known as “The Starters”, or at least in theory. Only three players made the cut, and one of them was so dangerously close to Tier 3, you’d think he snuck in on a sympathy vote.
Let’s break down the candidates, make their case, and then settle the all-important debate: who’s the best of the bunch?
Bradley Beal
Stats (Team Ranks): 17.0 points (3rd), 3.3 rebounds (10th), 3.7 assists (4th), 1.9 turnovers (4th), 1.1 steals (1st), 49.7 FG% (6th), 38.6 3PT% (6th), 57.1 eFG% (8th), -273 +/- (not a typo)
- Pros: Three-level scorer, can create his own shot, holds a lot of cards
- Cons: Injury-prone, no-trade clause, worst contract in the league, holds cards but is a bad poker player
Beal lands in the second tier by a mix of merit and circumstance. The man’s got skill. Nobody’s questioning that. But availability matters, and that’s the hurdle that’s kept him from breaking into Tier 1 for the Suns.
And let’s be honest, you all knew it. Over 30% of the community slapped a Tier 3 label on him, and honestly? I don’t blame you. I get it. It’s like having a luxury sports car that only starts on Wednesdays. Yeah, it’s fast, but what good is it if it’s parked in the garage half the time?
Grayson Allen
Stats (Team Ranks): 10.6 points (4th), 3.0 rebounds (11th), 2.1 assists (7th), 1.2 turnovers (6th), 0.8 steals (7th), 44.8 FG% (11th), 42.6 3PT% (3rd), 60.0 eFG% (5th), -79 +/-
- Pros: Shoota, surprising ability to throw down jams, physical, arms like cannons
- Cons: Sub-par defender, regressed this year, vouched for Tyus Jones
By the skin. Of. His. Teeth. The community was split right down the middle on GA. At the time I’m writing this, it’s literally 152 Tier 2 votes and 152 Tier 3 votes. That’s impressive in its own chaotic way.
He’s in Tier 2 because this tells me he’s either clinging to the bottom of Tier 2 or sitting comfortably at the top of the overcrowded Tier 3. And Tier 3? That’s where most of this roster’s been hanging out like it’s happy hour.
Ryan Dunn
Stats (Team Ranks): 6.9 points (9th), 3.6 rebounds (8th), 0.8 assists (14th), 0.5 turnovers (15th), 0.6 steals (11th), 43.0 FG% (13th), 31.1 3PT% (12th), 51.6 eFG% (13th), -169 +/-
- Pros: Lateral quickness as a defender, ability to make up ground as a defender, quick second jump, energy guy
- Cons: Three-point shooting, shooting period, wasn’t as great a defender as we think, ability to earn Mike Budenholzer’s trust
Ryan Dunn made himself right at home in the Tier 2 Club. Not bad for a rookie.
A whopping 75% of the community thinks he belongs there. Now, is this one of those cases where a guy looks shinier because the rest of the room’s a mess? Could be. The Suns’ shaky roster construction and overall underwhelming play might be inflating his stock a bit. But hey, whether it’s deserved or circumstantial, the guy’s in Tier 2. Sometimes it’s not about how good you are, it’s about looking good next to the chaos.
And now it is time to SunsRank the players 3 through 5 on this disastrous Phoenix Suns roster. Click away!
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