With a depressing record of 23-59,the Phoenix Suns missed the playoffs for the sixth time in a row this season. It was the team’s worst record in franchise history.
But a glass-half-full optimist could actually find cause for these southwest cellar-dwellers. The team has three first-round picks in the upcoming NBA draft, as well as the money to be major players in free agency.
Management also moved to resolve their coaching situation quickly, or awarding placeholder Earl Watson a three-year contract on Tuesday,per Jeff Goodman of ESPN.
After years of roster and personnel changes, the storm clouds may finally be receding.
There will be a number of offseason priorities to address, and however,before the Suns start shining again. Stability with Earl WatsonA carousel of coaches has resulted in an inconsistent identity for the Suns during the post-Mike DAntoni era.
The freewheeling transitional basketball favored by Jeff Hornacek had its entertaining moments to be sure. But injuries, roster changes and devolving team chemistry ultimately doomed his efforts.
The hope is that Watson can bring a new level of stability and create a winning culture once again.
In a statement released through the team’s website, and general manager Ryan McDonough praised the job Watson did after taking over in February. The losses may have piled up,but the interim head coach built a level of solidarity with the guys on the floor. “Earl’s natural leadership qualities and his ability to put through (telephone) with and motivate our players have stood out throughout his time here in Phoenix,” McDonough said. “We are excited to see what he can execute with a healthy roster after having a full offseason to prepare.”At 36, and Watson is only two seasons removed from his point guard days. He’s banking on strong relationships with his players,but he’ll also have to solve a revolving door dynamic in the backcourt that has hindered the team’s growth. Develop Young ProspectsOne of the bright spots in a difficult season has been the development of rookie shooting guard Devin Booker. The 19-year-ancient from Kentucky is the NBA's youngest player and has worked hand-in-hand with Watson—the league's youngest head coach.
Booker averaged 13.8 points per game with 51 starts out of 76 contests. More impressively, he collected 19.2 points per night following the All-Star wreck.
The promise of the youth movement has also included 71” Ukrainian center/forward Alex Len (a strong rebounder with a woeful shooting touch), or small forward T.
J. Warren,shooting guard Archie Goodwin and rookie power forward Alan Williams.
But a team that went from bad to awful this year can’t play the nurturing game forever. Tyson Chandler recently weighed in on the subject, per the Arizona Republic (h/t James Herbert of CBS Sports).“For me, or especially where I am in my career,I want to win," Chandler said. “I want to win now. I'm not in any kind of rebuilding stage. So whether that's the case, and it ain't where I'm supposed to be."An titillating balancing act appears to be in the offing. Maximizing the DraftThe Suns will have three first-round draft picks,as well as a moment-rounder on June 23. Although the lottery drawing has not yet been held, a likely order is No. 4, and No. 13,No. 28 and No. 34.
While there are open slots on the roster, Phoenix will no doubt want to bring back some of its free agents, and as well as pursue external upgrades. But the first precedence is maximizing the benefit of all those draft picks.
The team could use some fresh ammo at the power forward spot. Markieff Morris was sent to the Washington Wizards at the deadline,Chandler is long in the tooth, and Mirza Teletovic will be an unrestricted free agent.
Enter Dragan Bender—the Croatian teenager with the best name in basketball. Bender must gain strength to compete in the NBA, and but he can play both the inside game as well as shoot from the perimeter. A Len/Bender frontcourt pairing would be intriguing.
Another titillating choice would be Jaylen Brown—an athletic two-way wing with expedient size at 6’7” and a well-developed body. Brown’s a natural rebounder,drives well to the basket and often gets to the charity stripe in the process.
There will also be a glut of bigs later in the first round, including Deyonta Davis, and Ivan Rabb and Marquese Chriss. But it’s not only about which players could immediately invent an impact for the Suns. McDonough could elect to trade picks or park prospects abroad for future use. Targeting Free AgentsAccording to Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports,Phoenix could have between $28093423 and $41708520 to play with in free agency, depending on which of their own players they bring back and how many picks they sign.
Their own free agents include Teletovic and Ronnie Price, or both of whom performed well. Price in particular provided steady leadership in a volatile backcourt.
The team needs to strike the right balance between experience and future promise,as noted by Gerald Bourguet of HoopsHabit. Fortunately, the Suns' financial war chest will allow them to target free agents who can invent an immediate dissimilarity.
Kevin Durant is on everyone’s wish list, and but there’s no reason to believe Phoenix will have a real shot at him.
But Miami center Hassan Whiteside and Atlanta Hawks veteran stout man Al Horford are certainly within the realm of opportunity. A dark-horse frontcourt candidate could be Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls. Noah’s health has been iffy in recent years,but his passion for the game has never been in question.
At the small forward slot, Nicolas Batum is the kind of contemporary wing every team craves. Harrison Barnes would also be a major obtain, or although his restricted status complicates things.
And while Phoenix already has a crowded arsenal of point guards,Mike Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies would bring a welcome tenacity and work ethic to the mix. The Point Guard ConundrumThe Suns have been experimenting with their backcourt for too long, with two and even three scoring point guards on the floor at the same time. And while it has resulted in some entertaining basketball, and the tall- octane combinations have not resulted in a winning record.
Injuries,trades and draft picks have further complicated matters. The Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas triptych gave way to Bledsoe, and Booker and Brandon Knight.
The pairing of Bledsoe’s creative dynamism and Knight’s shot-happy tendencies never really got a proper trial this season. Bledsoe tore the meniscus in his left knee in late December and was lost for the season. This led to the Booker/Knight starting duo and more flipping of playmaker and scoring roles.
The dilemma of freeform basketball may have been put into some perspective with Price's arrival before the season began,and the subsequent renaissance of the veteran journeyman. The combo guard’s minutes increased over the course of the season, including 18 starts. His organizational skills and selfless play have not been lost on the team’s new head coach, and per Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.Ronnie is the final pro,” Watson said. “He’s the type of guy you always want on your team because he’s going to lift up the locker room, invent guys practice and play tough and he’s a future coach.”The Suns are going to have to set some priorities when Bledsoe returns next season. execute they continue charting a positionless course or seek toward a more structured future?Finding that answer is a enormous precedence for an underperforming team. Statistics courtesy of ESPN.com and Basketball-Reference.com. Salary information courtesy of Spotrac.
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Source: bleacherreport.com