The Phoenix Suns are now 13-23 on the season and are making a move up the standings and in many writers' latest NBA power rankings.
The Suns now have a better record than nine other teams. They are up to as high as No. 23 in some writers rankings of all the teams in the league.
Take a look at what NBA writers and publications are saying about the team now.
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Editor's note: Click on each link for that site's complete NBA power rankings.
USA TODAY Sports: Suns up two to No. 23
AJ Neuharth-Keusch writes: “For a team with little to speak of in the excitement department, the Suns put together one of the most entertaining finishes of the NBA season on Tuesday as Tyson Chandler threw down an alley-oop inbounds pass to beat the buzzer, and the Grizzlies.”
NBC Sports: Suns up two to No. 25
Kurt Helin writes: “Devin Booker returned on Tuesday night, dropped 32 on Memphis and got Phoenix the win. They needed him back, they went 3-7 without him. However, Booker was off the court when the Suns got a creative win via coach Jay Triano and veteran Tyson Chandler — you can’t have basket interference on an inbounds pass (because it’s not a shot and can’t score), so Triano drew up a play to have Chandler flush down and alley-oop over the rim.”
NBA DRAFT LOTTERY: Where will the Suns pick?
ESPN.com: Suns down one to No. 26
Michael Schwartz writes: “Devin Booker is expected back this week for the Suns, who have gone 3-7 in games he has missed this season. In the two games before he was injured late in the fourth quarter at Toronto, Booker scored a combined 84 points.”
CBS Sports: Suns up two to No. 26
Chris Barnewall writes: “Eric Bledsoe left something under the Suns' tree on his way out. Coupons to his favorite hair salon and a list of potential coaching hires.”
NBA.com: Suns up one to No. 26
John Schuhmann writes: “They're on their way to a bottom-five defensive ranking for the third straight year, but only Indiana has seen a bigger drop in opponent free throw rate from last season.”
SI.com: Suns up two to No. 27
rotoworld.com: Suns No. 27
NOLA.com: Suns No. 24
Week 10 power rankings:
ESPN.com: Suns still No. 25
Michael Schwartz writes: "The Suns won their first game without Devin Booker over the past two seasons Saturday in Minnesota, improving to 1-9 in this time without their star. A 49-point edge in bench points and a plus-21 rebounding margin helped the Suns win despite Booker's absence and a whopping 27 turnovers."
SI.com: Suns still No. 29
Kenny Ducey writes: "Very glad the Suns brought this guy (Isaiah Canaan) back into the NBA."
NOLA.com: Suns No. 25
William Guillory writes: "Isaiah Canaan made three free throws with six seconds left to push Phoenix to a 108-106 win over Minnesota on Saturday in his first game as a member of the Suns. The victory also ended Phoenix's 5-game losing streak."
Bleacher Report: Suns down three to No. 30
Grant Hughes writes: "The Phoenix Suns own the worst defensive rating in the league, and they were the No. 24 offense before Devin Booker went down with a groin injury on Dec. 5. You see where this is going. Phoenix is demonstrably incapable of getting stops, and now it has almost no hope of scoring on the other end without its top offensive weapon."
nbcsports.com: Suns No. 25
It writes: "Offensively, the Suns are showing promise. Their issues lie mainly in their defense, or lack thereof, ranking 30th in the NBA in points allowed per game."
Detroit Free Press: Suns No. 25
Vince Ellis writes: "Groin injury to Devin Booker doesn’t stop Detroit Pistons from wanting a redo of 2015 NBA Draft."
Week 9 power rankings:
USA TODAY Sports: Suns up one to No. 26
AJ Neuharth-Keusch writes: "The future flashed before the eyes of the Suns' faithful when Devin Booker went down with a non-contact injury Tuesday vs. Toronto, but the budding star — who suffered a left adductor strain and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks — says he's "progressing every day" and on the "right path" to recovery."
ESPN.com: Suns up one to No. 25
It writes: "After their loss Saturday night at home, the Suns have now dropped 11 of their past 12 games against the Spurs, with the only win coming outside of the U.S. -- Phoenix defeated San Antonio last season in Mexico City."
CBS Sports: Suns up one to No. 26
Chris Barnewall writes: "Mike James has a full contract with the Suns now, making him one of the first success stories of the new era of two-way contracts. It's always cool to see fringe guys climb their way on to a main roster. He celebrated his new deal with a 25-point night against San Antonio."
Sporting News: Suns No. 26
Sean Deveney writes: "Trend: Suns opponents have had a field day scoring on their defense — in their last six games, which includes five losses, Phoenix has given up 49.4 percent shooting and 38.2 percent from the 3-point line."
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NBA.com: Suns still No. 28
John Schuhmann writes: "A night after scoring a season-high 46 points in Philadelphia, Devin Booker went down for 2-3 weeks with a strained left adductor. The Suns' offense didn't suffer much without their leading scorer (they scored 106 points per 100 possessions in two very slow-paced games against two good defenses), because they got to the line 58 times over the two games and turned 20 offensive rebounds into 32 second chance points. T.J. Warren even hit multiple 3-pointers for the first time this season in Saturday's loss to San Antonio. After having his two-way contract upgraded to a standard NBA deal, Mike James led the team in usage rate in Booker's absence and scored 25 points against the Spurs as the Suns erased a 19-point deficit before getting beat in the final minute."
Bleacher Report: Suns still No. 27
Grant Hughes writes: "You wouldn't know it from this ruthlessly meme-ed defensive stretch, but the Phoenix Suns were unusually competitive this past week. They fell by single digits to the Boston Celtics, 116-111, and admirably stuck with the Toronto Raptors on the road for most of a 126-113 loss. They sandwiched a win at the Sixers in between. Devin Booker filled it up (38 points against the Celts, 46 to beat Philly), but had to be carried off the floor after he strained his adductor in Toronto. Phoenix cannot replace his 24.3 points per game without a major drop in efficiency. Booker led all high-volume Suns shooters with a 51.9 effective field-goal percentage. It also seems safe to assume opposing crowds won't be giving any other Sun an appreciative standing ovation."
hoopshabit.com: Suns down five to No. 27
Gerald Bourguet writes: "As it turns out, the Phoenix Suns aren’t very good without Devin Booker, who will miss 2-3 weeks with a groin injury.
Still, it hasn’t been as bad as expected for the Suns, even on a three-game losing streak. Losses by 10 to the Wizards and by three to the Spurs are certainly respectable…until you remember they came at home, with John Wall, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Kyle Anderson all sidelined. At least Josh Jackson will be getting more run?"
Week 8 power rankings:
Hoops Habit: Suns up four to No. 22
Gerald Bourguet writes: "There are very few reasons to watch the Phoenix Suns this season, but Devin Booker is a pretty damn good one. Booker is tied with LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo for the most 30-point performances in the association with 10. He followed up his 70-point game in Boston with a 38-5-4 performance against Marcus Smart and company, and then torched Robert Covington and the Sixers for a season-high 46 points on 17-of-32 shooting…on a night where he started 2-for-11. Booker is a legitimate franchise player, folks."
USA TODAY Sports: Suns still No. 27
AJ Neuharth-Keusch writes: "Devin Booker is averaging 23.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, four assists and is shooting 45.5% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc. Only four other players in the NBA — Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, LeBron James and James Harden — can say the same."
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ESPN.com: Suns still No. 26
Michael Schwartz writes: "Devin Booker scored 32 fewer points than he did in his last trip to Boston in Saturday's loss to the Celtics, but he still tallied a season-high 38 points after of course dropping 70 in March 2017. This was Booker's ninth 30-point game, which trails only LeBron James for most in the NBA this season."
SI.com: Suns still No. 29
Kenny Ducey writes: "Devin Booker didn’t go for 70 again in his rematch with the Celtics, but he did drop 38 against the top defense in the league. That’s mighty impressive."
CBS Sports: Suns down three to No. 27
Chris Barnewall writes: "CBS Sports colleague Matt Moore suggested removing the Suns from every opponent's offensive rating, because their defense has just been that bad. I'm inclined to agree."
NBA.com: Suns down one to No. 27
John Schuhmann writes: "Dragan Bender got the first start of his career on Tuesday in Chicago, but picked up two fouls in the first five minutes and ... that was that. Marquese Chriss was back in the starting lineup for the last two games as Jay Triano has gone away from the two-center look he dabbled with the week prior. Now, the Suns' three centers (Tyson Chandler, Alex Len and Greg Monroe) are taking turns as the designated DNP. Devin Booker had another big game (38 points) in Boston and the Suns actually made it a game (cutting a 17-point deficit down to two) this time. Jared Dudley gave them some good minutes (in a rare appearance) and is a plus-18 for the season on a team that's 8-16."
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Week 7 power rankings:
rotoworld.com: Suns No. 27
It writes: "The Suns have lost three straight, and that streak could get quite long if they are unable to beat the Bulls on Tuesday. After their game against Chicago, Phoenix plays at Detroit, at Boston, at Philadelphia, at Toronto, and then heads back home to host the Wizards and Spurs."
USA TODAY Sports: Suns down two to No. 27
AJ Neuharth-Keusch writes: "'It's not an encouraging sign when an authority figure publicly questions himself, but Suns interim coach Jay Triano did as much over the weekend. 'I questioned myself all (Friday) night about our energy,' Triano told reporters after his team's loss to New Orleans. 'Are we practicing too hard? Are our shootarounds too hard? Is there too much emphasis on skill work?'"
ESPN.com: Suns still No. 26
Jose De Leon writes: "The Suns kicked off their season-high six-game road trip with a loss against the Timberwolves on Sunday. Following the end of this trip, they already will have played their two longest road trips of the season."
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CBS Sports: Suns down one to No. 24
Chris Barnewall writes: "The Suns are the NBA's new worst defensive team, with Cleveland playing slightly better on that end as of late."
SI.com: Suns down three to No. 29
Kenny Ducey writes: "It seemed like Greg Monroe was well on his way to driving up his trade stock after a 20-point, 11-rebound game against the Rockets in his debut, but he’s scored just 46 points in five games since then."
nola.com: Suns No. 26
It writes: "Phoenix is averaging 109 points allowed per 100 possessions, last in the NBA."
Week 6 power rankings:
ESPN.com: Suns still No. 26
Jose De Leon writes: "The Suns gave up 90 first-half points to the Rockets in their loss on Thursday. That's tied for the second-most points allowed in a first half in the shot-clock era (since 1954-55).
SI.com: Suns down one to No. 26
Kenny Ducey writes: "Devin Booker is averaging 27.4 points over his last five games."
CBS Sports: Suns up four to No. 23
Chris Barnawall writes: "Devin Booker will continue to shine while Phoenix tries to figure out what they are. He's shooting 38 percent from 3-point range and showing improvements on defense. He's not a star yet, but he's definitely taking the right steps to become one."
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Bleacher Report: Suns up one to No. 27
Grant Hughes writes: "Booker's big scoring nights and general feistiness are clear positives for a team in need of production and direction. Also encouraging: The Suns Gorilla mocked Big Baller Brand during the loss to the Lakers. We must support the fight against obnoxious branding wherever it is fought."
Nola.com: Suns No. 23
It writes: "Suns forward T.J. Warren has embraced a bigger scoring role since Bledsoe's departure and he's averaging 20.4 points and 5.8 rebounds on 51.2 percent shooting in the month of November."
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Week 5 power rankings:
ESPN.com: Suns down one to No. 26
Michael Schwartz writes: "After getting back a protected first-round pick in the Bledsoe trade, the Suns have seven first-round picks in their asset chest over the next four seasons, tied for the most of any NBA team. That's on top of the league's youngest roster in the Valley of the Sun."
hoopshabit.com: Suns still No. 25
Gerald Bourguet writes: "What a busy week for the Phoenix Suns. Off the court, the Eric Bledsoe trade finally occurred with mixed results, while Greg Monroe trade options are already a topic of discussion. On the court, despite the Suns suffering five straight losses and falling back into old habits, rookie Josh Jackson showed his potential amidst an up-and-down start with a career-high 18 points against Orlando.
Then Phoenix got its best win of the season on the second night of a back-to-back, besting the Timberwolves behind 35 from T.J. Warren and a 35-9-6 line from Devin Booker. Not only is Booker the fourth-youngest player to reach 3,000 points (behind only LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony), but he’s also becoming more than just a shooter."
MORE: Suns fans sound off on Eric Bledsoe trade
Sporting News: Suns No. 26
It writes: "The hustle stats don’t look good for Phoenix: 0.36 charges drawn, 28th in the league, and 10.4 deflections per game, 29th."
SI.com: Suns up one to No. 25
Kenny Ducey writes: "Unless Devin Booker goes for 70 again, last week's win over the Timberwolves (where Booker and TJ Warren combined for 70) could be the highlight of the season."
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NOLA.com: Suns No. 26
William Guillory writes: "Phoenix got a combined 70 points from Devin Booker and T.J. Warren on Saturday night to end the team's five-game losing streak."
Bleacher Report: Suns down three to No. 28
Gran Hughes writes: "The Suns are bad again, and in ways that are frustratingly odd. A team with this much youthful bounce shouldn't be so inept at forcing mistakes. In theory, young players are supposed to botch schematic execution and use their athleticism to gamble. It's still shoddy defense, but at least it generates miscues. Nope."
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Week 4 power rankings:
ESPN.com: Suns up three to No. 25
Jose De Leon writes: "After averaging fewer than 18 points per game in the first five games of the season, Devin Booker has scored at least 30 points in three of the past five games. The most recent player in his age 21-or-younger season to record three 30-point games within the team's first 10 games of the season was Kevin Durant in 2009-10."
SI.com: Suns up four to No. 26
Kenny Ducey writes: "I learned who Mike James is this week. No, not this one. He’s apparently the Suns’ starting point guard."
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Bleacher Report: Suns up three to No. 25
Grant Hughes writes: "Look out, now! Here come the...no way. This can't be right. The Phoenix Suns? The Phoenix Suns! What gives? Is it the magic of 27-year-old rookie Mike James, who has somehow had several effective outings despite wild fluctuations in his game-to-game scoring efficiency? Is it Dragan Bender's increased confidence and enticing off-the-dribble game when attacking closeouts? Is it Devin Booker's display of competitiveness on defense every so often while he continues to score as easily as breathing? Is it TJ Warren's—perhaps quietly Phoenix's best player—surprising 40 points against the Wizards? Whatever it is, let's not think too hard about it."
hoopshabit.com: Suns up one to No. 25
Gerald Bourguet writes: "Six games is a small sample size, but the Phoenix Suns look like a completely different team under interim head coach Jay Triano. Their last two losses to close out a long five-game road trip were uncompetitive, but the Suns have also secured wins over Sacramento, Utah, Brooklyn and Washington since the head coaching change. In the last week, Mike James notched a career-high 24 points; T.J. Warren dropped a career-high 40 points on 16-of-22 shooting, leading the Suns back from a 22-point deficit against the Wizards, on the road, in the second night of a back-to-back; and Devin Booker, who just turned 21 years old, appears to be making the leap in Year 3. Fingers crossed, but the Suns might actually be fun to watch again."
NBC Sports: Suns No. 26
Kurt Helin writes: "They would be higher on this list if they could hold a lead — three of their losses came when blowing a 10-point lead (or more) in the game. That includes handing the cross-town Knicks their first win of the season. The Nets remain a really good shooting team, but they do a lot more damage in the first quarter than they do the rest of the game."
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NOLA.com: Suns at No. 25
William Guillory writes: "Phoenix won four of their first five games after firing head coach Earl Watson but they've come back down to earth recently, losing their last two contests by a combined 30 points."
freep.com: Suns now No. 25
Vince Ellis writes: "Earl Watson was first coaching victim, but Suns have been competitive since making the move. Devin Booker is putting up numbers (22 points per game)."
Week 3 power rankings:
ESPN.com: Suns up two to No. 28
Kevin Arnovitz writes: "While the league waits for an outcome on Eric Bledsoe's pending departure from Phoenix, the Suns played a downright dignified brand of basketball last week, picking up a couple of home wins over Sacramento and Utah. Though there haven't been any individual standouts in the inefficient offense, Mike James has been a pleasant surprise. Now the Suns take the road for four games this week."
CBS Sports: Suns down four to No. 30
Chris Barnewall writes: "From a basketball perspective the Suns aren't the worst team in the league. Three of their four losses were to good teams and they've beaten bad ones. However, they fired their coach three games into the season after a 40-point loss. They're currently paying Eric Bledsoe to not show up to work and they have killed his trade value every time a reporter puts a microphone in front of them. It's a full-blown disaster and it's not even November yet."
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Sporting News: Suns No. 26
Sean Deveney writes: "The good: Since they’ve banished Eric Bledsoe in search of a trade, they’re 2-1. The bad: They’re one loss into a five-game trip, and still could go 2-80."
SI.com: Suns up one to No. 29
Kenny Ducey writes: "Josh Jackson is the rookie leader in steals, so at least there’s that!"
Bleacher Report: Suns up one to No. 28
Grant Hughes writes: "It's borderline miraculous that the Suns started as badly as they did and somehow recovered to move up a spot in our rankings."
NOLA.com: Suns No. 26
William Guillory writes: "Phoenix fired head coach Earl Watson only three games into the 2017-18 season, and while it did pick up the team's first two wins after the move, having such a young core makes the Suns one of the NBA's most inconsistent teams on both ends of the floor."
hoopshabit.com: Suns up three to No. 29
Gerald Bourguet writes: "The Jay Triano era has begun, and by simply establishing a set rotation, playing players at their natural positions and focusing on more in practice than “family” and “culture,” this young Suns team may actually be tolerable — and dare we say “fun” — to watch again."
YOUR TAKE: Right move for Phoenix Suns to fire Earl Watson?
Week 2 power rankings:
ESPN.com: Suns down five to No. 30
Micah Adams writes: "Earl Watson was fired Sunday, just three games into the season. The only team in NBA history to change coaches fewer games into a season was the 1971-72 Buffalo Braves, who parted ways with Dolph Schayes after a single game. The Suns have been outscored by 92 points, the worst scoring margin through three games in NBA history."
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fansided.com: Suns No. 30
Chris Manning writes: "There is no team in the league that had a worse week than Phoenix Suns and it’s not close. Off the court, Eric Bledsoe is seemingly tweeting a trade request. An hour or so after that tweet was sent out, the Suns fired Earl Watson in the second earliest firing in NBA history. This is peak dysfunction. On the court, it’s not much better. As of Sunday, Phoenix had the league’s worst net rating by a wide margin. Sure, they hung tough with the Lakers and only lost by two. But when they played good teams — the Blazers and the Clippers — the Suns were outclassed on both ends. Right now, it’s hard to find something good to say about them. Maybe a new coach will help. Maybe Watson, who was seemingly liked by players, was so bad tactically that anyone can improve on what he did. But, in all likelihood, this is the start of a long, long season in Arizona."
nj.com: Suns No. 29
Joe Pavorsky writes: "Phoenix made NBA history last week for largest opening night margin of defeat in their 124-76 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. They’re currently the NBA’s worst shooting team, and they just fired head coach Earl Watson. Eric Bledsoe tweeted he wants out. Safe to say the Suns are not in good shape right now."
MORE: Suns suffer two of four worst losses in franchise history in first three games
NOLA.com: Suns No. 27
William Guillory writes: "The Suns have already lost two games this season by 40+ points."
PREVIOUS POWER RANKINGS: Did Suns improve in offseason?
Week 1 power rankings:
USA TODAY Sports: Suns No. 26
AJ Neuharth-Keusch writes: "Another year, another lottery-bound season for the Suns, who will use this season to focus on the development of franchise cornerstones Devin Booker and Josh Jackson as well as former lottery picks Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender and Alex Len."
ESPN.com: Suns No. 25
It writes: "Last season, Devin Booker recorded the first 70-point game in the NBA since Kobe Bryant's 81-point game in 2006 and averaged 22.1 points per game in his age-20 season. Only four other players averaged that many points in their age-20-or-younger season in NBA history: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal."
hoopshabit.com: Suns No. 28
Gerald Bourguet writes: "After mostly sitting out of free agency and drafting Josh Jackson, the Phoenix Suns are hoping #TheTimeline, their own version of The Process, leads to another top pick in 2018 and a young core that can be a future title contender as it matures together. For the upcoming season, however, the Suns need to see progress for Marquese Chriss and especially Dragan Bender, not to mention Alex Len in contract year. The young guys will get plenty of run, but the only way the Suns will be even relatively competitive is if Eric Bledsoe somehow isn’t traded and Devin Booker‘s third season is the breakout season fans are insistent is coming."
NBA RECORD PROJECTIONS: Suns in for another long season?
fanragsports: Suns No. 25
Jared Johnson writes: "Once the Suns see one or more of their prospects turn into a true star, they’ll be in business. The group of Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, Marquese Chriss, T.J. Warren, Alex Len and Dragan Bender has great potential, but they’re all still finding their niche in the NBA. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about veteran point guard Eric Bledsoe. He’s a very capable floor general, but the chances he gets traded during the 2017-18 season are very high."
NBA.com: Suns No. 27
John Schuhmann writes: "Josh Jackson, who scored 22 points against Portland last week, has been added to the mix of young Suns that are more interesting as individuals than as a group. Devin Booker did see an increase in assist rate from last season to the preseason, but it remains to be seen if the ball will move better this year. Either way, the Suns seem likely to make a deal or two before the deadline and add another top-five pick next year. Given the strength of the West, better basketball might not result in more wins."
cbssports.com: Suns No. 26
Matt Moore writes: "Can Devin Booker anchor a team in his third year? Is Josh Jackson for real? Will Eric Bledsoe be traded? The questions about this Suns team will probably be more interesting than their games."
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nj.com: Suns No. 25
Jake Pavorsky writes: "The Suns will go as far as their youth takes them. They'll need 2016 lottery picks Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender to really step up in year two. But young teams are bound to go through some serious growing pains, solidifying the Suns as a high lottery team in 2017."
SI.com: Suns No. 23
Kenny Ducey writes: "With Carmelo Anthony shipped off to Oklahoma, I’d argue Eric Bledsoe is the league’s newest superstar wasting his prime years on a rebuilding team. The 27-year-old guard might find himself in a new city come February, which would further rebuilding efforts in Phoenix. Bledsoe and Devin Booker alone are enough to deserve this spot."
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