The Phoenix Suns continue to be one of the NBA’s feel-good stories in 2025-26 as they defy expectations.
The latest high point was a thrilling 108-105 win over the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 4, which followed league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander heaping praise on former teammate Dillon Brooks.
It’s a good time to be a Suns fan, but those same fans shouldn’t expect representatives of their favorite franchise to be frontrunners for year-end awards, at least according to ESPN.
In a recent piece breaking down the NBA awards watch, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton listed two Suns representatives in the “long shot” category for various awards: head coach Jordan Ott and breakout guard Collin Gillespie.