B/R Grades Suns' Top-Earning Players Thus Far

Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul were graded favorably well by Bleacher Report.

When the Phoenix Suns are healthy, they're one of the best teams in the league. 

Yet that's been the problem in Phoenix's 21-24 start to the regular season. Their typical starting lineup of Chris Paul-Devin Booker-Mikal Bridges-Cam Johnson-Deandre Ayton has played just six games together thus far. 

The Suns have had to rely on role players to fill those voids, and although we've enjoyed nice stories that have emerged on occasion, Phoenix needs their stars back now more than ever. 

The trio of Booker-Ayton-Paul has missed a combined 41 games thus far, and that's heavily played into the Suns having lost their last nine-of-ten games.

Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz graded every team's top three players in terms of salary, and the Suns had fairly good grades despite drops in performance and missed games due to injury. 

2022-2023 Salaries: Devin Booker ($33.8 million), Deandre Ayton ($30.9 million), Chris Paul ($28.4 million)

"Injuries have wrecked the Suns' season, especially affecting those near the top of the salary sheet.

"Booker hasn't played since Christmas Day with a groin injury, with the Suns falling to just 2-8 overall since. The last time he made it through a game healthy, Booker dropped 58 points in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 17.

"The 26-year-old is averaging a career-high 27.1 points to go along with 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 0.9 steals a game this season. Phoenix desperately needs him back, especially since it's now fallen all of the way out of the play-in tournament.

"With Booker out, this looked like a golden opportunity for Ayton to step up, likely getting all the touches he can handle with players like Cam Johnson and Jae Crowder sidelined or away from the team as well.

"Instead, Ayton's 17.0 points per game over the last month are actually down slightly from his overall average (17.3 points). He's still pulling down 10.1 boards a game and shooting 50.0 percent over this time, but this still seems like a disappointing stretch overall for the 2018 No. 1 overall pick

"Paul looked cooked as he battled a heel injury towards the beginning of the season but has proved we shouldn't be drawing the retirement papers up for him just yet. The 37-year-old is up to 16.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.5 steals while knocking down 45.9 percent of his threes.

"Grades: Booker (A), Ayton (B), Paul (B+)"