Post-NBA Free Agency power rankings
By John Buhler
Phoenix Suns
West, Pacific
After attempting to woo All-Star power forwards Blake Griffin and Paul Millsap, the Phoenix Suns have largely conceded to punting NBA free agency the rest of the way. The Suns might have Devin Booker and that kid out of Kansas that can’t throw a baseball, but this team will struggle to win 20 games next year.
Phoenix has the same quagmire of point guards in Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight. That being said, the Suns will have an interesting crop of frontcourt players this year to keep an eye on in Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and T.J. Warren. If one of those three pops, Phoenix may not be the worst team in the Western Conference.
Booker might have an outside shot at Most Improved or even gaining a shocking All-Star nod in year three. However, this is one basketball franchise that is guaranteed to tank in 2017-18. We’d have to expect that the Philadelphia 76ers and maybe even the Los Angeles Lakers are done with that nonsense. Just not Phoenix, as the Suns still have plenty of holes to fill.
Even if the Suns are a terrible basketball team next year, they should be an interesting watch with many intriguing young pieces. Head coach Earl Watson may not be the answer on the sidelines, but he’s here for the next few years. The real guy to watch here is general manager Ryan McDonough. With Rob Hennigan out of the way in Orlando, McDonough might be the general manager most on the hot seat. His Suns need to win, but the cookies are just slightly warmed dough in the oven.