Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images. Pictured: Chris Paul #3 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns.
The Phoenix Suns had a truly special 2020-21 NBA season. The young group, led by veteran point guard Chris Paul, dominated throughout the regular season en route to the NBA Finals.
Of course, the Suns didn’t get their storybook ending as the Milwaukee Bucks upended them in six games for their first title in 50 years.
Phoenix brought back Paul, solid backup guard Cameron Payne, Frank Kaminsky, and Abdel Nader. They also added guards Elfrid Payton and Landry Shamet, and center JaVale McGee, fresh off of his gold medal victory with Team USA.
The Suns’ offseason moves support the idea that continuity will make this team stronger.
So with the Suns being fully reloaded and ready to attempt a repeat trip to the NBA Finals, here’s a look at how you can bet Phoenix heading into this season.
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Suns Win Total Odds
The Suns win total is set at 51.5 at DraftKings as the NBA returns back to a traditional 82-game season. Phoenix finished with a 70.8% winning percentage last season, a pace that would’ve given them about 58 wins over a traditional 82-game season.
Now, it is extremely tough to envision the Suns winning near 60 games in an improved Western Conference.
But with the internal improvements likely coming from young stars Devin Booker and to a greater extent, Deandre Ayton, the Suns have a clear path to winning a ton of regular season games even if they start ramping down the playing time of Paul in low-leverage situations.
Pacific Divison Winner Odds
With Kawhi Leonard out for an extended period of time with the Clippers, and the Warriors and Lakers working on integrating all their new pieces, there is a case for the Suns to capture back-to-back Pacific Division crowns. The Suns’ odds to win the division stand at +210.
Western Conference Winner
Phoenix comes in with the third-best odds to win the Western Conference—behind the Lakers and Warriors—at +600.
The Suns’ defense will be stronger with JaVale McGee able to provide a veteran alternative to man the backline of the defense. If Ayton, Booker and Mikal Bridges continue to progress next to the vet-presence of Paul, this is still one of the strongest cores in the league, definitely capable of coming out of the West again.
NBA Title Winner
The Suns have the fifth-best odds to win the NBA Finals at +1600, coming in behind the Nets, Lakers, Bucks and Warriors.
It is obvious that Paul’s health is the No. 1 thing that could stand in the way of the Suns winning an NBA Championship. If you are confident that Paul will be ready to go when the postseason starts, then Phoenix at +1600 is more than worth a look.
MVP Odds
For bettors that believe the Suns will hit the over on their win total, the MVP odds are worth a look for a bit of a double-dip. Hypothetically speaking, if the Suns absolutely smash that win total number, beating 51.5 wins by 5-to-10 wins, then it is obvious someone has had an elite season for Phoenix.
If Ayton is emphasized more on offense and turns in a truly dominant season in 2022, there is a case for the young big to come out of nowhere as a longshot MVP candidate. His odds sit at +25000 at DraftKings.
Chris Paul’s MVP odds come in at +10000, while Booker has the best MVP odds of any Phoenix Suns player at +2000.
At 36 years old, there will always be injury concerns for Paul going forward. It is tough to envision Monty Williams pushing him too hard after a grueling 2021 season.
With Booker likely to have an even greater share of offensive responsibilities, his MVP case is a simple one: more wins, more points and better shooting efficiency.
Booker was excellent last season but surprisingly shot the second-lowest 3-point percentage of his career. A bounce-back year from the perimeter could be all Booker needs to have yet another breakout season.
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