15 Best Players In Phoenix Suns History

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The Phoenix Suns franchise has existed since 1968, but they have never won an NBA Championship. That does not mean they did not have great seasons, as they have made the finals three times. In fact, they have a lifetime record of 2,380-2,063. So, despite not achieving ultimate glory, this team has had several amazing players through the years, including MVP's, ROY's and many players that stood out in the league, leaving their mark not only on the franchise, but on the sport. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the 15 best players in Phoenix Suns history.

The Phoenix Suns are one of the NBA teams still searching for their first NBA Championship victory. They entered the NBA in 1968 and have had their fair share of winning seasons. Unfortunately, they have never gotten over the hump to win it all, but they have had quite a few great talents.

Certain names created legacies that are beloved and respected by the entire Suns fan base. Phoenix has showcased some of the best players of their era, along with names that were more loved as a role player. Regardless, all the names involved have been synonymous with Suns basketball. The following Phoenix players deserve to be called the best in franchise history.

UPDATE: 2023/10/30 18:00 EST BY ROBERTH PEREZ

The Phoenix Suns franchise has existed since 1968, but they have never won an NBA Championship. That does not mean they did not have great seasons, as they have made the finals three times. In fact, they have a lifetime record of 2,380-2,063. So, despite not achieving ultimate glory, this team has had several amazing players through the years, including MVP's, ROY's and many players that stood out in the league, leaving their mark not only on the franchise, but on the sport. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the 15 best players in Phoenix Suns history.

15 Dick Van Arsdale

Dick Van Arsdale was the first undisputed starter since the founding of the Phoenix Suns and throughout the following nine seasons. In 685 games, he left averages of 17.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He recorded 12,060 total points (sixth in Suns history), and 2,396 assists (ninth all-time). He also attended three All-Star Games and had career highs of 46 points 14 rebounds 13 assists and six steals until his retirement at the age of 34.

14 Connie Hawkins

Cornelius Lance Hawkins signed as a free agent with the Phoenix after two years in the ABA. He played just four full seasons with the team, but he left great numbers, and he deserves a spot on this list. In 311 games, he averaged 20.5 points per game (ninth in franchise history) 9.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, with a 19.1 Player Efficiency Rating, and he was an All-Star every year.

13 Walter Davis

Walter Davis is the top scorer in Phoenix Suns history, with 15,666 points. He was a shooting guard and small forward born in 1954 who was selected with the fifth pick by the Suns in the 1977 draft and eventually became one of the most outstanding players in the team. He played 11 seasons with the team, being named Rookie Of The Year in the 77-78 season. "Sweet D" averaged 20.5 points (ninth in franchise history), 3.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.4 steals, with a Player Efficiency Rating of 19.6 and a Value Over Replacement Player of 23 (fifth).

12 Alvan Adams

Alvan Adams is the player with the most appearances in Phoenix Suns history. This center and power forward played his entire career (13 years) in a Phoenix Suns uniform. He is the franchise leader in total rebounds, with 6,937, and steals, with 1,289. He also ranks third in total assists, with 4,012, fourth in blocks with 808, and fourth in Win Shares, with 73.5.

11 Larry Nance

Larry Nance Sr., born in Anderson, South Carolina on February 12, 1959, is another player who deserves to be on this list. This 6-10, 205 lb. He was selected by the Suns in the 1981 NBA Draft as the 20th overall pick. In his seven seasons with the team (487 games), he averaged 17.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and a 19.8 Player Efficiency Rating. He is first in franchise history blocks (940), fourth in total rebounds (3,791), and sixth in Value Over Replacement Player (21.9).

10 Jason Kidd

The five-year stint of Jason Kidd with the Phoenix Suns saw him becoming arguably the best point guard in the NBA. Kidd made four All-Star appearances and received three all-NBA team selections to show how high he ranked compared to others.

Phoenix trading away Kidd turned out to be a bad move when Stephon Marbury was a downgrade. Kidd achieved more playoff success with the New Jersey Nets to make that the place fans first think of with his career, but the Suns had some of his best years.

9 Chris Paul

Chris Paul has only spent a few years with the Phoenix Suns so far, but he has made a huge impact. Phoenix has delivered two of their greatest regular season performances since Paul joined the core that had not even made the postseason without him.

Both first seasons for Paul featured All-Star and all-NBA appearances continuing his legendary run as a point guard. The Suns made the NBA Finals for the first time in nearly three decades with Paul as the game changer giving help to Devin Booker.

8 Tom Chambers

The Phoenix Suns witnessed Tom Chambers becoming a major part of their team in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Chambers became a pivotal part of the core with his best season featuring a shocking 27.2 points per game.

Phoenix had Chambers on the roster for three of his four career All-Star appearances. The Suns viewed Chambers as one of their most reliable players when on an upswing. Chambers even managed to receive two all-NBA selections at the peak of his career.

7 Shawn Marion

The Matrix nickname for Shawn Marion summarized his ability to get all over the court. Marion was considered a valuable two-way player that helped the Phoenix Suns mid-2000s era of success work with a smaller and faster lineup.

Marion was tasked with taking on every pressure by defending players of various positions and having to help Steve Nash lead the offense in an unselfish manner. The Suns tenure saw all four All-Star appearances and both all-NBA selections coming with the squad before falling off after leaving.

6 Paul Westphal

Paul Westphal is a rare instance of someone having successful stints with the Phoenix Suns as both a coach and a player. The playing career of Westphal featured his best success in Phoenix making four All-Star appearances and receiving four all-NBA selections each.

Westphal deserves a lot of love for his coaching tenure as well, leading the Suns to the 1993 NBA Finals. Any longtime Phoenix fan will ultimately think of Westphal among the most important figures for having two drastic levels of success.

5 Kevin Johnson

The Phoenix Suns trusted Kevin Johnson to be one of the most important figures in franchise history. Johnson rarely put up superstar stats, but his presence helped the Suns during arguably their best time as a contender.

Phoenix retired Johnson’s jersey after his long stint with the franchise ended with four All-Star appearances and five all-NBA selections. Johnson felt like the perfect piece to pair with Charles Barkley that continued his run even after Barkley’s departure.

4 Amare Stoudemire

Amare Stoudemire was a risky draft pick by the Phoenix Suns taking a player out of high school in the lottery. Phoenix ended up finding huge success with Stoudemire as the team’s best scorer when Steve Nash joined the franchise.

Even though Nash and Mike D’Antoni were more responsible for the fast-paced innovative offense, the Suns needed Amare to step up scoring for it to work. Stoudemire was one of the best at his position in Phoenix with five All-Star appearances and four all-NBA selections.

3 Devin Booker

The career of Devin Booker is still going, but he’s already in the top tier of all-time Phoenix Suns players. Booker will enter his ninth season with the Suns to make his tenure longer than most other names on the list despite now entering his prime.

The on-court success of Booker was always there despite the lack of team results, as seen with him scoring 70 points for a shocking career high. Phoenix made the 2021 NBA Finals with Booker as their best overall player. Time will see these numbers go up, but Booker currently has three All-Star appearances and one all-NBA selection.

2 Steve Nash

The Phoenix Suns franchise changed when Steve Nash joined in free agency after a great Dallas Mavericks stint. Phoenix actually drafted Nash years prior, but this was the first time he held great relevance joining them and becoming a superstar.

Nash led the Suns from a secondary playoff team fighting to stay in, to a title contender often contending for the one seed. The two MVP Awards stand out even above the six All-Star appearances and five all-NBA selections to show how much he impacted the game.

1 Charles Barkley

NBA Charles Barkley — Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Barkley only spent four total seasons with the Phoenix Suns, but he was a superstar for the entire stint. Phoenix made a big move acquiring Barkley when the star player wanted to be moved from the Philadelphia 76ers.

The MVP Award for Barkley and 1993 NBA Finals appearance saw his team putting up the best fight that any West team did against Michael Jordan in the finals. Barkley was among the best players in the world every season in Phoenix with an All-Star appearance and all-NBA selection every year.