Sunsrank: The Pillars

When the offseason hits, part of me gets excited. The season is long, and anytime there’s an opportunity for a reprieve, I’ll take it. That feeling doesn’t last long, however. I get restless fast. I need to occupy my time, whether it be movies (I’ve watched 25 Marvel movies since the regular season ended as I prepare for Doomsday), video games (God of War is filling some time), or TV shows (have you checked out The Audacity?). Whatever it is, I have to be doing something.

Thankfully, even with the Phoenix Suns’ season over, there’s still work to do. Player reviews. Free agent lists. SunsRank. It almost feels administrative, and that’s kind of what this process is. We’re closing the book on the season while also creating a snapshot of how we currently view every player on the roster.

We’re halfway through, so where do we stand?

After going through the Wild Card tier, you can once again see the differences in opinion. Not massive gaps, still noticeable ones.

On to the Pillars tier. Five players landed here, and what’s interesting is how much changed from preseason SunsRank to postseason SunsRank. Before the season started, the community had Ryan Dunn and Royce O’Neale in the pillars conversation. Both slid down into the Wild Card tier. That tells a story. Some players grew, while others regressed.

That’s where the real value of this exercise lives. Once it’s complete, we can compare where the community stood before the season to where it stands now. From there, you can start building theories about what the Suns should do next. Who should stay? Who should go? Which assets does the community believe are trending in the wrong direction?

We’ll get there soon enough. First, let’s get to the Pillars tier. Definition? “Not quite cornerstones, but strong enough to hold weight. These are the stabilizers, the players who give structure to the roster. If they rise, the ceiling rises.”

Five players, with spots 4 through 8 up for grabs. Let’s delve.

Grayson Allen

It was a regression year for Grayson. His three-point percentage dipped, and his overall efficiency fell as he battled injuries, often limping around while trying to tough it out. Still, he averaged a career-high 16.5 points per game, surpassing his previous best by three points. Considering his production, experience, and skill set, it’s easy to see why he belongs in this tier.

Collin Gillespie

Collin took a massive leap as a player, setting career highs across the board. He’s firmly established himself in the Suns’ rotation and has significantly boosted his value on the open market, especially with unrestricted free agency looming this offseason. It’s a stark rise. Just two years ago, he ranked 17th in SunsRank, and now he’s in the Pillars tier, a clear testament to his progression.

Jordan Goodwin

To think that Jordan Goodwin was a castoff from the Lakers just makes you smile. He put together a stellar season and was one of the biggest surprises, especially considering he barely made the roster. Remember the Jordan Goodwin vs. Jared Butler debate? He pretty clearly put that to rest, and his place in the Pillars tier reflects that.

Oso Ighodaro

Whether you love Oso or not, his impact was certainly felt this season. For a team focused on development, his progression was a clear example of that approach paying off. Is he perfect? Far from it. Players drafted 40th overall rarely are right away, but he undeniably took a step forward this past season.

Mark Williams

It was nice to have a capable rim-running big, even if the team didn’t always utilize him as effectively as they could have. Still, Mark Williams showcased his value and reinforced the reasoning behind trading for him on draft night.

We turn to you, faithful readers of Bright Side, to assist in ranking The Pillars.