From the Archives: Three Finals, No Title, One More Rebuild

By the Suns Nightly Desk · Monday, October 5

The Suns open their preseason tonight in Detroit, still chasing the title that's eluded three different Finals runs. Jordan Ott now leads a roster rebuilt once again around Devin Booker, the one constant across eras.

Suns Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

1968 expansion start. Phoenix joined the NBA in 1968 as an expansion team, the first major pro franchise in Arizona. Jerry Colangelo, 28, became general manager and the club went 16-66 in its debut season. Jordan Ott now runs Phoenix's third rebuild in three years.

1976 Finals heartbreak. Dick Van Arsdale, Alvan Adams and Paul Westphal carried Phoenix to the 1976 Finals. Garfield Heard's shot forced a third overtime in Game 5 before Boston won the series in six. It remains the franchise's first brush with a title it has never claimed.

Barkley's 1993 run. The 1992 trade for Charles Barkley, who left for Hornacek, Lang and Perry, set up a franchise-record 62 wins and an MVP season. Phoenix reached the 1993 Finals but lost to Michael Jordan's Bulls in six games. This summer's Durant trade is another roster swing in that same mold.

2021 near miss. Chris Paul and Devin Booker led Phoenix to the 2021 Finals, winning the first two games before Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks took the series in six. Booker is the one piece left from that run, now in his 11th season on a two-year, $145 million max extension through 2029-30.

Durant-Beal era unwound. Phoenix added Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in 2023 chasing that same title. Durant went to Houston on July 6 in a seven-team deal that returned Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the draft rights to Khaman Maluach. Phoenix bought out Beal ten days later, clearing him to sign with the Clippers.

Williams fills the gap. Phoenix sent Vasa Micic, the rights to Liam McNeeley and a 2029 first-round pick to Charlotte for center Mark Williams. He has been out since September 11 after shoulder surgery, with no return date set. Maluach, acquired in the Durant deal, is the one taking those center minutes for now.

Tonight, a first look. Phoenix gets its first game action of 2026-27 tonight in Detroit, against a Pistons team that won 60 games last season behind Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. For a roster built fresh around Booker, it is the first real data point of the new era.

On deck Phoenix plays at the Bulls on October 7, hosts the Spurs on October 10 on ESPN2, then visits San Antonio again on October 14 before the regular-season opener October 21 at the Trail Blazers.

Has Phoenix ever won an NBA championship?

No. The Suns have reached three Finals — 1976, 1993 and 2021 — and lost all three, the highest winning percentage of any team without a title.

When will Mark Williams return for the Suns?

No timeline has been given. He has been out since September 11 following shoulder surgery.