While Lillard’s comments highlight that respect for the Suns around the NBA has shifted in a positive way over only a few seasons, it also hints that the success of last year’s two smaller-market NBA Finals competitors in Phoenix and Milwaukee had a lasting impact elsewhere. Signing complementary pieces like Jae Crowder and Cam Payne while drafting Cam Johnson has given them depth and a full utility belt on the roster. That’s high praise for the Suns, who drafted their core three players in Booker, Ayton and Bridges, then added Paul via trade. We have the core pieces to do the same thing that Phoenix did.” “I don’t see us just landing star players.

That’s what my vision is,” Lillard added. “You just look at how that team is put together and they’re in the Finals coming out of the West. “Chris Paul and Devin Booker are All-Stars, but Deandre Ayton is a quality center, Jae Crowder is an experienced, quality stretch-four man that’s tough, Cam Johnson is nice and Mikal Bridges is my favorite small forward in the league. They got people who are really good at what they do and understand their roles,” Lillard told Haynes. “If you look at Phoenix, they don’t have a bunch of stars. Suns' Chris Paul passes Steve Nash for 3rd in NBA all-time assists total

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