Denver Nuggets Receive: F Jae Crowder, G Landry Shamet 

Phoenix Suns Receive: F Aaron Gordon 

By contrast, the Phoenix Suns haven’t been so artful in building their contender. Instead, they’ve taken a more purely scientific approach. 

This Suns team is almost like a textbook basketball team in 2022. A rundown of their starting lineup by position demonstrates that perfectly. 

It all starts with Chris Paul. He’s the archetypical floor general who stirs the drink. Of course, given his playmaking acumen, it makes sense to have a purer scorer alongside him. Luckily, Devin Booker fits the bill. 

With those two, the Suns’ backcourt serves as a perfect offensive engine. Still, an engine without a body doesn’t have anything to run. No matter – this Suns mobile has a strong body.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets & Phoenix Suns Updates

They run two 3-and-D wings (Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson) between their backcourt and Deandre Ayton, the archetypical pick-and-roll finisher to Paul’s archetypal pick-and-roll playmaker. 

All told, the final product is basketball perfection. Why mess with a good thing?