The Phoenix Suns got better this offseason, but concerns about depth and roster fit may cause them to come just short in the brutal Western Conference playoff race.
Key Additions
- Tyson Chandler
- Devin Booker
- Mirza Teletovic
Key Departures
- Gerald Green
- Marcus Thorton
- Marcus Morris
2015-16 Season Outlook
Two seasons ago, the Phoenix Suns unexpectedly won 48 games and came just short of making the playoffs in the Western Conference. Nonetheless, it was a remarkable season, for the season prior the team had won just 25 games, and all accounts signaled that 2013-14 would be a rebuilding year.
To capitalize, the Suns attempted to build off 2013-14, but last season would be a disappointment, with the team finishing 39-43. While they remained in the playoff picture for most of the season, the trade deadline departure of Goran Dragic about doomed any chances they had of staying in the race.
This season, it’s hard to determine just what can be expected from Phoenix. They got better this summer, drafting Devin Booker, and signing marquee free agent Tyson Chandler. The uncertainly lies in whether the got better enough to finally make the playoffs, and with the future of Markieff Morris.
While a successful play for LaMarcus Aldridge would have made for a great pairing, signing Tyson Chandler alone should have a positive impact. He averaged a double-double of 10.3 points and 11.5 rebounds a game last season, and is one of the better rim protectors in the league. His signing creates a more defined role for Alex Len as well, who was used both in the starting lineup and off the bench last season. Chandler’s signing isn’t necessarily indicative of Len’s future — instead, it suggests that Len isn’t ready to be the starter of a team competing for a playoff spot — and that’s fine. Len is just 22, and with a defined role as the backup center, he can focus on his strengths as he continues to develop other parts of his game.
The Suns will also hope Brandon Knight can shake off a poor start to his time in Phoenix. Traded to Phoenix during last season’s trade deadline, he became Dragic’s replacement, but struggled on the court and missed time due to injury. Phoenix signed him to a five-year $70 million contract extension this summer, suggesting they aren’t concerned about his struggle to fit in Phoenix’s system. This is reasonable, given that his injury, and the difficulty of adjusting to a new system more than halfway through the season likely resulted in his poor performance. With a full offseason and training camp, Knight should improve, but his fit with Eric Bledsoe and the rest of the team will remain in question until he proves otherwise.
Signing Chandler and re-signing Knight were two highlights for the Suns this summer, but neither compared to drama that unfolded with Markieff Morris. After brother Marcus was traded to Detroit, Markieff demanded a trade, stating the Suns had disrespected them, both of whom had taken less money to sign and play together in Phoenix. The Suns did not honor the request, and when Markieff joined the team for training camp, his tone had changed, stating that he wanted to be in Phoenix.
There’s no doubt this saga could have a major impact on how the season goes for Phoenix. Markieff was arguably their best player last season, and while his change in tone will at least fend off unwanted media attention in the short-term, Markieff’s reaction this summer suggests this ordeal isn’t quite over. However, as long as Markieff is a Suns player, and continues to perform, his presence on the court should have a positive effect on the team.
Another tricky part of the Suns is their lack of backcourt depth. Bledsoe and Knight offer a strong starting backcourt, but behind them are the likes of Ronnie Price, Archie Goodwin, and Devin Booker. Price plays hard, but can’t be relied on as a major rotation player off the bench. Goodwin didn’t show a whole lot of improvement in his second NBA season, but should get an opportunity for extended minutes with the departure of Gerald Green. Booker was a good value pick at 13th overall, but he’s the youngest player in the draft, and shouldn’t be expect to make an impact early on.
Depth could be an issue in the frontcourt as well. Beyond Len, the Suns have Jon Leur, Mirza Teletovic, and Cory Jefferson, players who can be used effectively in the right roles but not as primarily rotation players. An injury to any of the starters leaves the Suns thin on playoff caliber talent.
Phoenix should be better this season, and a winning record is very obtainable. That said, the Western Conference has been unkind to a lot of good teams in the past, and the Suns may find themselves in the lottery once again. It’s unfair, but the Suns will have to deal with Oklahoma City who should have a healthy Kevin Durant all season, and a surging Utah Jazz. There’s also the wild card of the Sacramento Kings, who aren’t a playoff team but will be good enough to spoil the fun for teams that are. Concerns about their depth, Knight’s fit with the team, and whether Markieff Morris will remain with the team are going to linger unless role players step up, Knight shakes off the poor finish to last season, and Markieff shows a full commitment to the team. If not, the Suns may find themselves back where they were two season ago, just short of the playoffs.
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