Phoenix Suns NBA Championship Odds 2022-23

The current Phoenix Suns NBA championship odds are . They paced the league with a 64-18 record, but Phoenix suffered an all-time collapse against the Dallas Mavericks. Although they held a 2-0 and 3-2 series lead, the Suns couldn’t close out Luka Doncic. In Game 7, the Mavericks led 57-27 at halftime and eventually prevailed 123-90. The embarrassed Suns limped into the off-season and failed to improve the roster.

With no selections in the draft, the Suns were unable to add young talent. They did manage to extend Deandre Ayton on a four year deal, but key reserve JaVale McGee departed for Dallas. The roster will essentially be the same as the previous two years, which isn’t a terrible situation considering the Suns are a combined 115-39 during the past two regular seasons.

Phoenix Suns NBA Championship Odds & Futures 2022-23

The current odds for Phoenix futures are located in the table below. It includes championship, conference, division, playoff, and win total odds for the Suns. 

Phoenix Suns NBA Championship Odds & Futures	Odds (Updated February 2023)
2023 NBA Championship Odds
Western Conference Winner Odds
Pacific Division Winner Odds
Regular Season Win Total Odds
Odds To Reach Playoffs

The Suns stand in the top five for shortest championship odds, which doesn’t seem correct. Although Phoenix remains a legitimate threat, they have fallen out of the premier championship contender category in my eyes. The Bucks, Celtics, 76ers, Warriors, and Clippers are a notch above the Suns, while the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Mavericks, Cavaliers, and Heat sit side by side with them. Overall, there are too many serious contenders to back the Suns with those odds. I would steer clear of their championship and conference winner odds. 

However, their regular season win total odds are appealing. I am skeptical of their playoff future, but Chris Paul and the Suns understand how to grind out regular season wins. Some regression is expected, but plummeting from 64 wins to 52 wins is too extreme. They have won 74.6% of regular season games since Paul arrived, which translates to a 61-win season. It’s reasonable to assume Phoenix will churn out around 55-57 wins this season. 

With that projected win total, their division odds should be handcuffed to it. The Warriors and Clippers are superior teams in the division, but they generally cruise into the postseason and flip the switch then. Both squads are also laden with veterans, so rest is common for them. I expect the Suns to win their division and secure a high playoff seed once again. Therefore, division and win total odds are the optimal path for Suns backers. 

Reasons Why Phoenix Suns Can & Can’t Win NBA 2022-23 Championship 

Strengths

• Backcourt: Devin Booker orchestrated a 26.8 PPG campaign on a 46/38/86 shooting split. Phoenix’s half-court offense is lethal because Booker’s elite three-level scoring overcomes broken plays. If the Suns need a clutch bucket, Booker can deliver instantly. Besides their primary scorer, the backcourt features pick and roll maestro Chris Paul. He runs the offense through his smooth ball handling and hyper-awareness. Deandre Ayton’s value is enhanced because Paul creates a high shot quality for him. This backcourt is the source of their success and challenges for best in the league. 
• 3&D: Mikal Bridges, a DPOY candidate, is the archetype of this highly desirable asset. 3&D wings are vital pieces to championships because they space the floor and defend one of the opponent’s best scorers. With Bridges in the lineup, the Suns can stifle the numerous larger wing scorers in the NBA. He’s not the only piece though, as Cameron Johnson and Jae Crowder fit this mold. Johnson (42.5 3PT%) tilts towards the three-point aspect, while Crowder falls more on the defensive side. However, both players are plug-and-play weapons for Phoenix. 
• Chemistry: Their core seven players are entering their third season playing together, so the chemistry they have is incredible. It’s the same starting lineup again; they had an impressive 7.4 net rating in 754 regular season minutes last year. Chemistry is a huge part of the reason why their regular season win total should remain lofty. They understand how to play with each other, which will translate to optimal basketball. 

Weaknesses

• Center Rotation: Deandre Ayton isn’t an All-Star, yet he has the capability to exert his will on both ends of the court. However, they lack a reliable backup center now that McGee resides in Dallas. Despite Biyombo’s ability to soak up 15-20 minutes during the regular season, the Suns cannot rely on him to produce against playoff caliber teams. Dario Saric is an interesting candidate, but he is coming off a torn ACL and plays better as a power forward. Phoenix needs to address this issue before the playoffs because it may end their season early. 
• Chris Paul Age/Injury: Paul is 37-years-old now, and he’s never been the epitome of health. The Mavericks startlingly exposed Paul on the defensive end, which is a red flag for this upcoming season. He also struggled to find his spots against non-elite defenders. If Paul considerably regresses – which is a real possibility – then Phoenix will likely be bounced in the first round. I expect him to outlast Father Time for one more year, but it’s impossible to predict when the fall happens.
• Mental Fortitude: The Suns blew a 2-0 lead in the Finals, and their redemption season ended with an utterly embarrassing series against Dallas where they completely disintegrated. Can Phoenix mentally recover from this? There was no Goliath like the Durant Warriors, so the Suns had excellent winning chances. Phoenix has to overcome their past, and it starts with Chris Paul. The Suns can guarantee that every viewer will mention their playoff woes, so he must rally his teammates and block out the noise.