Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

By John Hugar

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 12: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns exchanges handshakes with the the Philadelphia 76ers after the game during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 12, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 12: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns exchanges handshakes with the the Philadelphia 76ers after the game during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 12, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Phoenix Suns

After a miserable tank season buoyed only by the exciting play of Devin Booker, the Suns have moved — a bit surprisingly — into Win Now mode. Their victory in the lottery gave them Deandre Ayton, a big with stunning offensive skills who could emerge as an MVP-caliber player if he shores up his defense. The Suns have been mired in mediocrity ever since departure of Amar’e Stoudemire in 2010, and Ayton will likely be their next franchise-altering big.

Looking for veteran leadership to go with their young core, the Suns added Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson. It’s hard to know what to think about these moves. Ariza is a reliable locker-room guy who will keep the young kids honest, but he’s also going into year 15, and it’s reasonable to wonder how long he’ll be able to maintain his current level of play. Anderson’s poor defense rendered him unplayable in Houston, and it’s hard to say how much he’ll be able to give his new team.

How far the Suns can get will depend on whether Josh Jackson can make good on the strides he showed last season, and how good Ayton can be right away. If we’re being honest, a playoff appearance seems like a rather tall order. Still, something in the era of 30-35 wins, and plenty of dominant scoring from Ayton should give this anemic franchise some much-needed hope.