Stephen A. Smith Says Suns' Title Window Has Closed

ESPN NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith says the Phoenix Suns' title window has came and went.

The Phoenix Suns have quickly evaporated from top dog in the Western Conference to an afterthought in the current mix of rankings after losing four games in a row for the first time since the 2019-20 season. 

Phoenix has battled the injury bug all season, with guys such as Chris Paul, Cam Johnson and now Devin Booker missing some time due to injury. 

In an 82-game season, things are bound to slip at some point for any team. 

Yet many who follow and commentate the league don't quite believe the Suns are the team they've displayed in the past. 

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith believes so, appearing on NBA countdown over the weekend and giving his two cents after Phoenix failed to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans.

"When I think about the Phoenix Suns, here's where my mindset goes: Very, very talented. Leadership. A star, a superstar as far as I'm concerned in Devin Booker. Very good team, exceptionally well coached. But they give me the impression that their window came and went. The Pelicans are a team that could cement that kind of thinking for those that they may be thinking that way, or they could sit up there and wet the bed themselves and make us say 'Well Phoenix... Not so fast," he said. 

Co-host Michael Wilbon also chimed in saying the Suns needed to pull the trigger on a deal to land better talent:

"They need to make a deal … A guy like Kelly Oubre … So you get a guy like Oubre who okay, maybe it didn't work out his first time there, but a guy when Devin Booker goes to the bench, you can count on him … You've heard John Collins' name mentioned. Phoenix needs to [acquire more talent]."

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The Suns are currently 16-11 and have lost their last five-of-six games.