You know, talking about the best players to ever wear a Phoenix Suns jersey is basically an invitation to start a fight at a sports bar. It’s not just about who scored the most points. Honestly, if it were that simple, we’d just hand the crown to Devin Booker and go home. But the history of this team is weirdly complicated. You’ve got MVPs who never won a ring, a 6-foot-4 guy who outrebounded giants, and a point guard who changed how the entire league plays basketball.
Phoenix has this reputation for being the "greatest team to never win it all." That’s a heavy tag to carry. From the Sizzlin’ Suns of the 70s to the Seven Seconds or Less era, the talent has been undeniable. But when you look at the suns all time players, the real question isn't just about talent. It’s about who defined the culture of the Valley.
The MVPs: Nash and Barkley
Let’s start with the obvious. Steve Nash. The man was a wizard. You look at his stats—14.4 points and 9.4 assists over 10 seasons in Phoenix—and they’re good, but they don't tell the whole story. He didn't just play; he orchestrated. He took a team that won 29 games and turned them into a 62-win juggernaut overnight. Nash is one of only two players (Larry Bird is the other) to have four 50-40-90 seasons. That’s 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the line. It's efficiency that feels like a glitch in a video game.
Then there’s Charles Barkley.
Sir Charles only spent four seasons in Phoenix, but man, what a four years. In 1993, he didn’t just win the MVP; he dragged the Suns to the Finals against Michael Jordan. Barkley was officially listed at 6-foot-6, but let’s be real, he was probably 6-foot-4 on a good day. Despite that, he averaged 11.5 rebounds and 23.4 points during his Suns tenure. He’s the shortest player in NBA history to lead the league in rebounding. He brought an edge to Phoenix that they’ve arguably never had since.
The Scoring Kings: Booker and Davis
Devin Booker is currently rewriting every record we have. As of 2026, he’s already the franchise leader in points, surpassing the legendary Walter Davis. Booker is that rare player who stayed through the "dark years." Remember when the Suns were winning 19 games? Booker was there, dropping 70 points in a single game against Boston. He’s a three-level scorer who finally got the help he needed to reach the Finals in 2021.
Walter Davis, the "Greyhound," held the scoring record for decades with 15,666 points. He was smooth. Almost too smooth. Davis had this effortless mid-range jumper that was basically automatic. Even though he battled personal demons later in his career, his impact on the Suns' identity in the late 70s and 80s can't be overstated. He was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024, a nod that was long overdue for the franchise's most consistent bucket-getter for a generation.
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The "Glue" Guys: Matrix and KJ
You cannot talk about the greatest suns all time players without mentioning Shawn "The Matrix" Marion. He had the ugliest jump shot in the history of the world. It was like a chest pass from his chin. But it went in.
Marion was the ultimate Swiss Army knife.
- 18.4 PPG
- 10.0 RPG
- 1.9 SPG
- 1.4 BPG
He was the only player in the league for years who ranked in the top 20 in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks. He defended every position. If Nash was the engine, Marion was the chassis that kept the whole thing from falling apart at 100 miles per hour.
Then there’s Kevin Johnson. KJ was a blur. Before the injuries started taking their toll, he was a lock for 20 points and 10 assists every single night. In fact, he’s one of the few players to average those numbers for three consecutive seasons. He was the bridge between the different eras of Suns basketball, playing through the Barkley years and staying long enough to mentor a young Steve Nash. His ability to get to the rim and finish over centers twice his size was legendary.
The Original Sun: Alvan Adams
Alvan Adams is the guy the "old heads" love to talk about. He spent his entire 13-year career in Phoenix. That’s 988 games. He leads the franchise in minutes, rebounds, and steals. He was the Rookie of the Year in 1976 and led the "Suns-derella" team to the Finals that same year.
Adams was a point-center before that was a thing. He averaged over 5 assists per game as a rookie center. Think about that. In 1976! He wasn’t a bruiser; he was a surgeon. He’d catch the ball at the high post and pick defenses apart. While he might not have the "superstar" flash of a Barkley or a Durant, the history of the Suns is literally written in his stats.
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Why the 2026 Context Matters
If you're following the team right now, you know the roster looks vastly different than it did just a year ago. The Kevin Durant era ended with that massive seven-team trade that brought in Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. It was a gamble that signaled the end of the "superteam" experiment and a return to building around Booker's longevity.
But looking at the suns all time players through the lens of today, you see a pattern. The most successful Suns teams weren't necessarily the ones with the most "names." They were the ones with chemistry. The 1976 team, the 1993 team, and the 2005 "Seven Seconds or Less" squad all had a specific, frantic energy.
Phoenix is a city that loves a fast-paced, "run and gun" style. It’s why Paul Westphal—who was an elite combo guard before becoming a Finals-reaching coach—is still so revered. He averaged 23 points and 6 assists during his peak in the late 70s. He played with a creativity that mirrored the desert heat.
Surprising Statistics You Might Have Missed
Many fans forget how dominant Amar'e Stoudemire was before the microfracture surgery. In the 2005 Western Conference Finals against the Spurs, Amar'e averaged 37 points per game. That is not a typo. Thirty-seven. He and Nash ran a pick-and-roll that was basically unstoppable. If Amar'e’s knees hadn't betrayed him, we might be talking about a couple of championships in the mid-2000s.
Also, consider Dan Majerle. "Thunder Dan" wasn't just a shooter. He was an All-Defensive First Team player. He’s top 10 in franchise history for games, minutes, points, and steals. He was the blue-collar heart of the Barkley era.
Nuance and the "What If" Factor
The history of Suns players is a history of "almost."
What if Paxson doesn't hit that three in '93?
What if Robert Horry doesn't hip-check Steve Nash in '07?
What if Giannis doesn't block Ayton in '21?
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The greatness of these players isn't diminished by the lack of a trophy, though some critics would disagree. A guy like Connie Hawkins—the "Hawk"—only played a few years in Phoenix because of a league-wide injustice, but his playground style paved the way for the modern NBA. He was Jordan before Jordan.
Then you have guys like Jason Kidd, who led the league in assists multiple times in a Suns jersey but is often remembered more for his time in New Jersey or Dallas. Or Larry Nance, the original dunk contest king, who was an elite shot-blocker and scorer for Phoenix long before he went to Cleveland.
Actionable Insights for Suns Fans
If you're trying to settle a debate about the greatest Suns of all time, don't just look at the scoring. Look at Win Shares per 48 minutes.
- Charles Barkley leads the franchise in this category (.210). He was the most impactful player per minute the team has ever seen.
- Steve Nash follows closely, especially during his MVP seasons where his offensive rating was off the charts.
- Shawn Marion is the sleeper pick. If you value versatility and advanced metrics, Marion is often the #2 or #3 player on any statistical "best of" list.
For those looking to dive deeper into the history, start by watching highlights of the 1976 Finals. It’s the origin story of the franchise’s grit. Then, compare the shot charts of Walter Davis to Devin Booker. You’ll see that while the game has changed, the "Valley" has always valued guards who can create their own shot.
The next time you're at the Footprint Center or arguing on a forum, remember that being an all-time great Sun is about more than just the box score. It’s about being the guy who made the desert believe. Whether it's the 70-point outbursts of Booker or the no-look passes of Nash, these players are the reason Phoenix remains one of the most passionate basketball towns in the country.
Next Steps for Your Research:
- Analyze the Leaderboards: Check the official NBA 2026 updated career leaders for the Suns to see where Devin Booker currently stands in three-pointers and assists compared to Steve Nash.
- Watch Historical Footage: Search for the "Suns-derella" 1976 playoff run to understand the impact of Alvan Adams and Paul Westphal on a team that had no business being in the Finals.
- Compare Eras: Look at the "Pace and Space" metrics of the 2005 Suns versus the 2021 Finals team to see how the definition of "fast" has evolved over twenty years.