NBA Power Rankings week 8 – OKC Thunder cling to middle, trade market opens up

Offense: (110.7)  7th
Defense: (109.3 ) 18th
Net: (plus +1.4) 12th

Games Week 8: (1-2) Won vs. Timberwolves, lost to Grizzlies, Spurs
Games Week 9 (3 games): Mon. vs. Blazers | Tues. at Clippers | Fri. at Thunder | Sat vs. Rockets

Having lost 10 of their last 14 games the feel good start to the season seems well in the rearview mirror.

BUT…. this coming week the Suns will get back Deandre Ayton and also have a healthy Ricky Rubio and Aron Baynes back on the court. The big question is how Monty Williams will utilize Ayton and Baynes and if they’ll be any issues meshing everyone together.

Much will depend on Ayton’s defensive growth this offseason since Baynes has proven himself and shown Williams what the team can be when healthy on defense.

Phoenix can’t afford to slide defensively and while the sophomore is a walking double-double there’s more to defense than cleaning the glass.

Odds are Williams’ crew worked closely with the youngster during his suspension to ensure the defensive portion of his game is on point.

Ayton should be back on Tuesday versus the Clippers and at worst the OKC Thunder will be the first to see him on Friday when the clubs tipoff in a game that suddenly carries a lot more meaning given where the teams are currently seeded.

Side note: Dario Saric (who was not offered an extension) and Kelly Oubre are both intriguing pieces Sam Presti should be considering trying to pry away from the Suns.