There are less than two months remaining in the NBA regular season, and the way the Western Conference playoff picture shapes up will be exciting and perhaps unpredictable.
There has been no shortage of parity in the West, and now that the Phoenix Suns have landed Kevin Durant, there is even more intrigue when it comes to who will represent the conference in this summer’s NBA Finals.
Fox Sports 1 personality Nick Wright would be shocked if the Suns don’t reach the championship series, and he says he doesn’t have confidence in the conference’s other candidates to get there.
"It would be shocking if the Suns don't win the West."
— @getnickwright on who you should bet on in the Western Conference: pic.twitter.com/ZsoQuz87UW
— What’s Wright? with Nick Wright (@WhatsWrightShow) February 23, 2023
Phoenix will likely have the best starting five in basketball once Durant returns from a sprained MCL, which could happen next week, as he will join Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
However, Suns fans shouldn’t automatically count on their team playing in June, as there are some question marks.
Phoenix appears to lack depth, as they had to give up Mikal Bridges, an outstanding 3-and-D player, and Cameron Johnson, a key reserve, not to mention several first-round draft picks to get Durant.
Although coaches normally shorten rotations come playoff time, depth is still integral for making a championship run.
Another question is how Booker, arguably the league’s best shooting guard and one of its best isolation players, will handle having to give up shots and points to accommodate Durant.
In addition, will the Suns still be a strong defensive team without Bridges?
Basketball fans seem to prefer an NBA where no one really knows who will be playing for the world championship, and that’s what the league has to offer as it resumes play following the All-Star break.
NEXT: NBA Insider Reveals When Kevin Durant Will Make Suns Debut
