Fansided

NBA teams with the most to gain and lose in the 2018 Draft

By Jeremy Morris

SECAUCUS, NJ - MAY 20: A general view of the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery at the NBATV Studios on May 20, 2008 in Secaucus, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - MAY 20: A general view of the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery at the NBATV Studios on May 20, 2008 in Secaucus, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Phoenix Suns (19-47)

2018 Picks

  • First Round — projected No. 1 – 5 overall
  • First Round (from Miami) — projected 14th-16th overall
  • Second Round — projected 31st-33rd overall
  • Second Round (from Toronto) — projected 58th-60th overall

The Suns are the only team in the NBA younger than the Bulls. Since Tyson Chandler was sidelined by a neck injury, the average age of their combined starting lineup has been 21.6 years old.

Led by Devin Booker, one of the best young scorers in the NBA, the Suns have a roster that complements Booker with as much raw talent as any team in the league. The keyword being RAW.

Booker has averaged over 25 points and just under five assists a game this season. Elfrid Payton, who came to Phoenix in a trade with the Magic has averaged 15.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in 10 games. Neither is locked in with the Suns long-term but they are both priorities to resign this summer.

T.J. Warren has started all 62 games averaging 19.7 points per game this season and is signed through 2022. Brandon Knight and Alan Williams are both guaranteed through 2020 and although both are still just coming into their primes, it looks like they’ll be the “veterans” of the future on a roster of infants.

Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, and Josh Jackson have all looked like top-10 picks at times, scoring 20+ and going for double doubles. All three have also looked like 20/21 year olds at several points throughout the season and have to become more consistent in the coming years.

Jared Dudley and Tyson Chandler are the only two players on the Suns’ roster over 30. Both are signed through 2018-19 and should be given some kind of dad of the year bonus when their contracts expire after next season.

With so many young players taking priority, the $18 million salary Phoenix is paying Greg Monroe this season will be much-needed cap relief as will Dudley and Tyson’s combined $23 million coming off the books following next season.

The Suns are extremely promising and there are several pieces there but there are no promises that the still developing young players will continue to grow into consistent contributors. They have to take advantage of the two top-15 picks they’ll have in the 2018 draft.  It is imperative that Phoenix shows competence in the draft and makes progress in each of the next couple seasons to ensure their core of young players resign. They also need to be smart about how they choose to spread their limited cap space across their young roster.

With so many key players needing to be resigned in the next three years, the Suns probably won’t be able to keep all of them. If this team is to turn a corner and make a run at the playoffs or into the later rounds in the next four years, they’ll likely need a couple important contributors on rookie deals. And they can’t afford to be in the lottery again next season.

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