The next of our previews looks at the Phoenix Suns who are fresh off a season in which they won a franchise-record 64 games before being eliminated in the Western Conference semi-finals by Dallas. With Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton all returning, they will hope to right the wrongs of last season’s emphatic defeat. In these previews, we will take a look at the key acquisitions, fantasy stars and predicted finish.
Key Acquisitions
With veteran wing Jae Crowder not with the team amid ongoing trade conversations, the Suns’ biggest acquisition has likely not yet arrived.
Cam Johnson is expected to receive an uptick in minutes along with Torrey Craig and Landry Shamet whilst offseason signings Josh Okogie, Damion Lee, and Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot will also vie for minutes. There is no guarantee that any of the three will solidify a role within Monty Williams’ rotation particularly come April, however, they will play an important part in keeping their core guys fresh and healthy as the season progresses.
Their biggest offseason roster move, however, was retaining starting centre Deandre Ayton, who signed a four-year, $133 million offer sheet with Indiana which Phoenix immediately matched.
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Fantasy Stars
Devin Booker is Phoenix’s most-coveted player in fantasy with the 26-year-old ranked fourth among all small forwards and seventh among shooting guards. In 68 games last season, he averaged a career-high 26.8 ppg on .576 TS% to go along with 5.0 rpg and 4.8 apg en route to an All-NBA 1st Team nod. Booker will be as eager as anyone to move on from last season’s disappointment and help re-establish the Suns atop the Western Conference.
Projected Finish
Jeremy and I are both forecasting another strong regular season for Phoenix although admit that replicating last season’s 64-win domination may prove easier said than done. Given the manner in which they fizzled out come the postseason, they may pace themselves slightly more this time around particularly with Paul entering his age-37 season. My expectation is that they remain in the race for the West’s one-seed, however, the likes of Golden State, Denver, and the LA Clippers likely close the gap and make things a little tougher. Despite a humiliating exit in last year’s playoffs coupled with a perceived level of discontent due to Robert Sarver announcing his decision to sell his stake in the franchise after a report was released detailing a string of racist and misogynistic behaviour, the Suns’ talented core should keep them firmly within the Western Conference playoff race, however, how they fare beyond that is anyone’s guess.
