{"id":140990,"date":"2025-09-13T12:44:14","date_gmt":"2025-09-13T12:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/140990\/"},"modified":"2025-09-13T12:44:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T12:44:14","slug":"the-phoenix-suns-turn-to-their-pillars-as-sunsrank-moves-to-tier-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/140990\/","title":{"rendered":"The Phoenix Suns turn to their pillars as SunsRank moves to Tier 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yeah, things are about to get messy. We\u2019ve closed the book on Tier 1, The Cornerstones, a list that belonged only to Devin Booker and Jalen Green. No surprises there. The opening order of the 2025\u201326 SunsRank looks like this:<\/p>\n

Devin BookerJalen Green\u2026<\/p>\n

And now we move into Tier 2, The Pillars.<\/p>\n

Before diving in, I want to address some of the feedback from the community about adding a separate tier for the Suns\u2019 future pieces. I thought about it, I really did. There\u2019s enough youth on this roster to justify its own category. But I kept it to four tiers on purpose. At the end of the season, we\u2019ll revisit these exact same groupings \u2014 Cornerstones, Pillars, Wild Cards, and Depth Pieces \u2014 and what interests me most is seeing how each player\u2019s place in the hierarchy shifts from start to finish. The tiers are designed to break the roster into digestible pieces, not to permanently define what each player is or will be.<\/p>\n

With that said, we\u2019re on to Tier 2. Five players landed here in the voting, and these are The Pillars. They\u2019re not quite Cornerstones, but they\u2019re strong enough to carry weight. They stabilize the roster, they give it structure, and if they rise, so does the ceiling of this team. Their importance to the Suns\u2019 success moving forward cannot be overstated.<\/p>\n

Grayson Allen entered last year\u2019s SunsRank preseason at fourth overall, only to slip to fifth by season\u2019s end as his role shifted to the bench. That looks to be the blueprint again this year. After starting 74 of 75 games in 2023\u201324, he\u2019ll once more anchor the second unit, providing scoring punch and shooting off the bench. His role may have changed, but his value hasn\u2019t. Allen is still a steady contributor who can swing games with his shot.<\/p>\n

A SunsRank newcomer, Brooks arrives in Phoenix through the Kevin Durant trade, bringing with him the kind of fire and effort this team lacked a season ago. His reputation precedes him. A grinder, an agitator, a player who tilts the emotional balance of a game. Where he lands in SunsRank will be one of the more interesting storylines this year, because his impact won\u2019t be measured in points alone.<\/p>\n

\"HOUSTON,<\/a><\/p>\n

HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 30: Dillon Brooks #9 of the Houston Rockets battles between Moses Moody #4 and Pat Spencer #61 of the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 30, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

Dunn\u2019s rise in last year\u2019s SunsRank was the steepest on the roster. He opened as a rookie from Virginia ranked 10th and closed the season at fourth. The numbers weren\u2019t eye-popping, but his relentless effort and defensive versatility made him a favorite with the fan base. Entering year two, he has the opportunity to cement himself as more than energy and defense, and that\u2019s what makes his place in SunsRank so intriguing.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Neale was the definition of steady last season. A true flatliner. He opened SunsRank as the sixth-best player on the roster and finished in the same spot. Some nights he made his presence felt, other nights he faded into the background, but his contract and skill set still make him a valuable piece. As this season unfolds, the question becomes whether he stays steady or surprises us with a rise up the board.<\/p>\n

Williams was one of the closest calls in tier voting. Fifty-one percent of his ballots landed him in Tier 2, but 32 percent pushed him into Tier 1. He sits right on the edge of being viewed as a cornerstone. His development, role, and production this year will ultimately decide which way he leans, and SunsRank gives us the chance to track that in real time.<\/p>\n

\"MIAMI,<\/a><\/p>\n

MIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 10: Mark Williams #5 of the Charlotte Hornets dunks the ball during the third quarter against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center on March 10, 2025 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brennan Asplen\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n

Now the fun begins. Let the voting start, and let the conversations follow. Take your time, think it through, make your case. Rank SunsRank.<\/p>\n

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