PHOENIX – Despite a nine-game win increase from year-to-year, the Phoenix Suns stocks among other NBA franchises didn’t improve according to some experts. Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes and CBS Sports Sam Quinn ranked the franchise’s future and front office the fourth-worst in the NBA. Hughes discussed the Bradley Beal dead money as a major part for the pessimism, while Quinn based his ranking on long-term/short-term mindset and quality in recent moves this past offseason.
Quinn was quick to give praise to Phoenix on the free agent signings of Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, while draft picks Oso Ighodaro and Rasheer Fleming have both worked out. However, the team’s management of long-term assets has him perplexed on the Suns’ future.
Aug 16, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia (left) and players Devin Booker (center) and Dillon Brooks sit courtside of the Phoenix Mercury game against the Portland Fire at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Quin on why Suns are 4th worst front office in NBA:
“But the complete and utter lack of long-term planning here is just indefensible. This team is pathologically incapable of holding its draft capital. They’re just stuck… unless they’re willing to trade new picks as soon as they unlock, and even at that point, they’ll likely be so far gone that it won’t matter. The Suns operate with no real understanding of their place in the broader league landscape, and it’s virtually impossible to be an effective front office under those conditions.”
Koa Peat (left) with Suns GM Brian Gregory during an introductory press conference at the Verizon 5G Performance Center, in Phoenix, on June 26, 2026. © Mark Henle/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Owner Mat Ishbia hasn’t been afraid to spend money, which Quinn praised in his analysis, but when the money and resources are going to the talent currently on the roster it could be seen as a loss. The franchise doesn’t control a single first-round pick until 2032, which is currently frozen because of previous seasons over the second apron.
The biggest grievance is Phoenix trading its unprotected 2033 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Miles Bridges. In an offseason that saw Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lamelo Ball and other All-Stars traded for similar quality assets, using it on a zero-time All-Star seemed like an overpay.
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) in the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The quality of the roster is playoff worthy, but there is a hard ceiling. Swept last year in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder doesn’t build any confidence on this roster contending. Adding in Bridges, rookie Koa Peat and sharpshooter Luke Kennard won’t be enough for the Suns to get over the hump. So, as Quinn stated, the front office is “stuck.”
The limited cap flexibility and draft assets gives Phoenix no real outs unless making a major move in moving one of its top three guys, which Ishbia won’t be interested in because of his desire to compete annually. While last season was a massive success and a step in the right direction, it’s hard to argue the self-inflicted mistakes the front office made that it’s still paying for years to come.
