4th place – Phoenix Suns
2015-16 record: 23-59 (4th place in Pacific Division)
2016-17 prediction: 28-54
There’s a chance that the Suns could overachieve slightly and snatch the 13th seed in the Western Conference and finish 3rd in the Pacific Division. Maybe, if their young players really overachieve and second-year Devin Booker is the Phoenix saviour that every fan wants him to be, there could be a small chance that happens.
However, with backcourt questions surrounding the current duo of Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, not to mention Tyson Chandler’s fit or the sheer age and inexperience of 2016 lottery picks Dragan Bender (18) and Marquese Chriss (19), wins won’t come too easily.
The Suns need to be patient.
They’re a young team, and similarly to the Lakers, next season is about developing the young building blocks.
The return of a healthy Bledsoe will help lead the way, with career-highs of 20.4 points, 6.1 assists and two steals per game in his 31 contests before injury last season offering a nice indicator of what fans can expect in 2016-17. Providing he stays (the chance of trading Knight will be very much alive given Bledsoe’s play and the emergence of Booker at shooting guard), his return is a real bonus for their possible win total.
Free agency didn’t change too much for the Suns. They brought back notable 3-and-D wing Jared Dudley, which is a great signing to support their perimeter play, add a stellar catch-and-shoot threat, and provide some more leadership for the likes of Booker, Bender and Chriss. They also brought Leandro Barbosa back to Phoenix, but, again, he hardly takes the team to another level.
Booker’s future is nothing but bright. He has a beautiful shooting stroke, he showed his ability to create and drive as time went by, and his ball handling and facilitating is improving all the time.
Alongside Bledsoe, young pieces like Alex Len and T.J. Warren, their new veterans, and the rookie efforts of Bender, Chriss and Tyler Ulis, the Suns should be able to begin their progression to a more promising future.
Next: 3rd place - What's next in Sacramento?