NBA Previews: Phoenix Suns
With the fourth team in the Pacific Division, I will be discussing one that has been under-the-radar for quite some time, the Phoenix Suns. They've earned that, however, since losing Amare Stoudemire in free agency the Suns really haven't done anything notable. They do have big pieces on their roster, including guards Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker, but they always fail to make the playoffs lately. Something to point out, they are in the mix for star PG Kyrie Irving via trade, and are probably the favorite to land him due to some of these assets they have. So, expect things to change if/when that happens.
DRAFT RECAP
The selection the Suns made in the NBA draft is the reason why the Irving trade has not happened yet, the Suns don't want to give him up (and I wouldn't either). Many believe that F Josh Jackson is the best prospect in this draft, and that includes myself. With all respect to Lonzo Ball, Jayson Tatum and number one pick Markelle Fultz, Jackson seems to be a younger Andrew Wiggins with better defensive skills. The Suns also drafted SG Davon Reed and PF Alec Peters in the second round.
FREE AGENCY
Free agency wasn't big for the Suns, as they have mostly stood pat. They have made large efforts for signing players like PF Paul Millsap, trades for Kyrie Irving and LaMarcus Aldridge, and have signed a couple of minor free agents. But when it comes down to it, the Suns haven't done anything this off-season outside of the draft except re-signing C Alan Williams. Without Alex Len on the roster still, Williams will be the main backup center for Tyson Chandler.
PLAYERS LOST
When a team doesn't add much in the off-season, it usually doesn't lose much either. That is the case with the Suns, as the only player from last year's squad to go elsewhere is PF Mike Scott. C Alex Len, PG Ronnie Price and G Leandro Barbosa are still available via free agency, but at this point Phoenix won't be signing them for too much unless they get desperate.
DEPTH CHART
C-Tyson Chandler, Alan Williams
PF-Marquese Chriss, Jared Dudley, Dragan Bender
SF-Josh Jackson, TJ Warren, Derrick Jones
SG-Devin Booker, Davon Reed, Elijah Millsap
PG-Eric Bledsoe, Tyler Ulis, Mike James, Brandon Knight*
ANALYSIS
Brandon Knight is going to be out for the year with a torn ACL, and when you take him off the bench it really looks like a thin roster overall. Bledsoe is the fourth oldest player on the roster (Chandler, Dudley, Millsap), and that kind of says it all with this team. Leaps in production from Williams, Bender, Jones and Ulis will be huge for this team along with the continued growth of Booker and Chriss.
PREDICTIONS
Especially without Brandon Knight, this team really doesn't have much of a chance on making the playoffs. That's kind of why I understand Phoenix's reasoning for not trading Josh Jackson along with Bledsoe to get Irving. They just don't have the depth, and I don't believe they'd improve much. I'm definitely on Phoenix's side for this one, as I don't believe they are a playoff team with or without Irving. They are slowly trending in the right direction, however.
