Welcome to the Suns Fans UK 2020/21 season preview.
In one of the craziest years ever, it has also been one of the craziest off seasons in Suns history, so before we get going with looking forwards, we need to take a look back at this past off season.
Off Season Recap
Following the Suns' promising 19/20 season, marred by injury and suspension and then the incredible 8-0 run in Orlando, it was obvious that there would be some changes this off season. Many, myself included, thought that we would run last season's team again, but with a few small additions - a competent back-up PG like DJ Augustin and an athletic back-up forward/center like Christian Wood.
What actually happened however was James Jones turning over more than half the roster, including the acquisition of superstar point guard Chris Paul. You can read more about the trade here.
Here's a list showing the revolving doors of players we experienced:
Players In:
Chris Paul (Trade)
Abdel Nader (Trade)
Jalen Smith (Draft)
Jevon Carter (Re-signed)
Dario Saric (Re-signed)
Jae Crowder (Free Agent signing)
E'Twuan Moore (Free Agent signing)
Langston Galloway (Free Agent signing)
Damian Jones (Free Agent signing)
Johnathan Motley (Free Agent signing)
Ty-Shon Alexander (Undrafted Free Agent signing)
Players Out:
Ricky Rubio (Trade)
Kelly Oubre Jr (Trade)
Ty Jerome (Trade)
Jalen Lecque (Trade)
Frank Kaminsky (Team Option not picked up)
Chieck Diallo (Not Re-signed)
Aron Baynes (Left via Free Agency)
Elie Okobo (Waived)
Upcoming Season
Hopes are high. With the addition of CP3 the Suns floor and ceiling have automatically risen by a large margin. No longer will they be fighting for the Playoffs, they're expected to be safely making the Playoffs, maybe they'll actually be fighting for homecourt instead.
We have a new Big 3 in the house. Booker, Paul & Ayton - our first since Nash, Stoudemire & Marion (I know we had Shaq after Marion, but that trade ultimately made us worse). Our main supporting pieces; Bridges, Carter, Saric have returned and we've added Jae Crowder, who hasn't missed the Playoffs since his rookie season. Along with Moore, Galloway and Jones, this is the deepest Suns roster top to bottom that we've had since the 09-10 season, which coincidently is when we last made the playoffs.
Offense
Devin Booker - I don't think I need to any explanation here. Just in case though:
Last season the Suns led the league in assists and were the only team to have two players averaging over 6 assists per game (Rubio & Booker). With the addition of Paul this doesn't look to change any time soon.
An advantage that Paul has over Rubio is he's a proven scorer, averaging over 18 points throughout his career. At times last season, without Booker on the floor the guard spot lost it's scoring punch. CP3 can carry an offense all by himself. Add the wing depth we've accrued of players that can all shoot the 3 at +35%, along with an expected uptick in performance from Ayton (hopefully), the Suns could have one of the most efficient offenses and potentially lead the league in scoring.
Defense
The Suns increased their defensive rating from 19th before the break in play to 4th during the NBA Bubble.
There looks to be huge improvement on the defensive end over that 19th rating. Chris Paul has 9 All-Defensive team honours to his name and has led the league in steals 6 times throughout his career. We already had Mikal and Ayton on the team, both of whom have the potential to make multiple All-Defensive teams in their career. With Crowder also joining the team, it gives us multiple interchangeable players to defend the opposing team's best player. Crowder may not be as athletic as Kelly Oubre, who we shipped out, but his additional size (30 lbs heavier than Kelly), allows him to defend the bigger forwards that Oubre and Bridges have struggled with in the past. Also, did you see the work he put in on Giannis?
Off the bench we have Jevon Carter and Cam Payne, who both took it upon themselves to defend full court while on the floor together in Orlando and although not a highly ranked defender E'Twuan Moore is hard-nosed and doesn't back down from anyone.
Predicted Starting Five
The consensus starting five is Chris Paul G, Devin Booker G, Mikal Bridges F, Jae Crowder F & Deandre Ayton C.
The question mark however is whether it'll be Jae Crowder starting or whether Monty Williams will opt for his starting forward from the 8-0 bubble run; Cam Johnson.
Overview
The Suns look to be one of the most exciting teams in the league this coming season. With a high powered offense from Booker, Paul and Ayton along with added defensive toughness, from Crowder the ingredients are all there for a new Suns dynasty to rise.
Question Time
I've gathered the biggest Suns fans on this side of the pond that I know of. I have presented them with questions about the Suns off-season and the upcoming season.
Say hello to:
Chris - @ToonArmySun
Craig - @CraigAHamil - Check out his Redbubble Store
Ross - @CanOnlyBeOne_
Matt Alcock - @postup323
What did you think of the Suns' off-season, was it what you expected? If not, what did you expect?
Chris: I'd say above and beyond what I expected. I have felt for some time that there was going to come a point where James Jones was going to have to make a gamble and go for a "splashy" move to prove to Booker that this team is about winning. Although I expected it may come during the 20/21 season, I didn't expect it to be this early, nor did I expect it to be a player as good as Chris Paul. The idea of running it back with the core that did so well in the bubble was understandable and, given the COVID impact on finances and Sarver's reputation, I thought that may end up being the more likely outcome. I'd have been mostly fine with that too, as I think that's a good core that would have had an excellent chance at making the playoffs. I'm chuffed with how it's turned out, not just CP3 but also being able to bring back Saric who I rate very highly, plus nabbing Jae Crowder. Surprising, exciting and just incredible.
Craig: I had very mixed emotions. Ricky Rubio was/is one of my favourite players and I was very sorry to see him leave, but I understand that it was a necessary move to make for the return we got. I liked all the rest of the moves. We upgraded over the players we let go (CP3>Rubio, Crowder>Oubre) retained all our core pieces, improved our depth. I'd give it an A-.
Ross: On the whole it was good to just not make any awful moves, improve the overall roster and put the team in a better place. Sad to see Ricky and Kelly move on though The stability Rubio gave was key for the team last season, after having sub par point guards for a few yrs. Now upgrading further with CP3 gives the Suns a big chance at being amongst the better teams in the west. Also replacing Oubre with Crowder, and resigning Dario whilst jettisoning Kaminsky is good business. Jury is out on Jalen Smith though. I found that pick surprising but I said same about Cam Johnson last summer.
Matt A: The Suns had an awesome off-season. I did not expect them to make as many moves as they did to be honest. Due to the success of the Suns run in the bubble I thought they might have given it a run with a similar roster that was in Orlando. In getting Chris Paul via trade, he brings a sense of legitimacy to the franchise. Re-signing Dario Saric and adding Jae Crowder in free agency has really showed the league that we are not messing around. GM James Jones has not rested on the bubble-run and has put us in a position to be a mid-tier Western Conference team.
I was surprised at drafting Stix with the number 10 pick but I am at a point where I trust Jones and his staff that they are getting the right guy for us. Signing the un-drafted Ty-Shon Alexander could be an underrated acquisition as another 3-and-D guy.
Ignoring the Chris Paul trade, what was your favourite move the Suns made this off-season?
Chris: It's a tough call between Crowder and Saric but I'll go with Saric because I've always loved him as a player long before he was a Sun and think he has a lot of room to grow. Bringing him back on a fair contract was a huge win. His versatility is going to be such a key part of this Suns team and I'm looking forward to seeing how he progresses, and what minutes they give him with the starters when they need an extra spark of creativity. Crowder's such a good add though. Basketball is never linear and you never know for sure how moves work out but I have an extremely hard time seeing this move not work out. It's nothing like Trevor Ariza at all. He'll be great. Galloway is also going to win us some games with some hot shooting off the bench.
Craig: It would be easy to say Jae Crowder, but for me it's bringing back Dario Šarić.
He had an up and down season but towards the end and in the bubble he did an incredible job. I like to think the stability and security of staying in the same place and having a more defined role will allow him to keep focus and maintain his level of play. I hope he finds a long term home here in Phoenix as I don't believe a player like Dario can truly flourish with the constant trades and upheaval he's dealt with so far.
Ross: Crowder was an excellent piece of business. Nice tradeable contract too. Same goes for Dario. Bubble Dario was excellent and hope he continues that rich vein of form.
Matt A: Has to be signing Jae Crowder for me, he made it all the way to the Finals with Miami in October and was a key member of that squad. You can tell how important he was to them by what some of his former teammates have said since he left. Crowder had a better shooting season last term and if he brings that to Phoenix paired with his tough defence he will play a major role for us. Plus he is a guy that you want on your team in a Game 7, he’s a gamer.
Where do you think the Suns will finish in the standings?
Chris: In the Pacific, second. Unless LeBron or AD get badly injured, the Lakers are just too good, as much as it pains me to say. I truly think the Suns have more going for them than the Clippers, and while the Warriors should be in the mix, I don't think they'll quite have enough. In the West, it's really hard to say. It's incredibly competitive, but I think the backcourt depth (keeping Carter and Payne, adding Galloway and Moore) that the Suns have is going to make a difference. I'll say 5th seed, but it could be anywhere between 2nd and 8th with how COVID may impact teams. The only thing I'm quite comfortable on is that I think the Rockets are going to implode and then drop. Gun to my head: Lakers, Denver, Utah, Mavs, then the Suns, Clippers, Blazers and Pelicans. Please feel free to roast me for this when the Warriors and Rockets make me look silly.
Craig: The trendy pick seems to be 3rd seed but I will temper my expectations a bit and go with 5th. I really do believe the Suns will be better than Utah, Dallas, Portland, New Orleans. I'll wait and see how Houston goes, but perhaps I'd bump Phoenix up another spot if Rockets are a dumpster fire.
Ross: Going to be optimistic and say Fifth.
Matt A: On paper, the Suns are looking at 7-8 seed in the West. However there is always a team or teams that either do not meet expectations or have too many injuries so I have the Suns being at the 5-6 spot.
With such a deep bench, who do you see our sixth man being?
Chris: I think this is going to be Saric for a lot of reasons. There's just going to be so many scenarios where he ends up logging minutes. Smaller lineups as Ayton's back up, lineups when some frontcourt creativity is needed, when we need shooting without sacrificing size, and so on. He gives the Suns so much flexibility and hustles hard. Whenever I went to a game last year he was always first out pre-game working on his shooting. I just think he's a hard worker who's going to get better and better.
Craig: My obvious pick is Šarić. He'll be getting plenty minutes at the 4 and 5 and he'll be doing so to great effect with the second unit he knows his job. He can play well on both ends and point Dario will get his teammates involved. Honourable mention for Cam Johnson if Crowder is our starting 4. Langston Galloway is another potential pick based on preseason overreaction.
Ross: Again can see that being Dario. He can play the 3, 4 and some at 5. Sneaky good passer too which is key setting the play from the frontcourt.
Matt A: Cam Johnson made big strides in Orlando and I’m expecting another leap from him in year 2. A solid 3-point shooter that can space the floor and he will benefit by playing with Paul on a nightly basis.
Any hot takes you want to put out there, so you can rub it in people's faces when they happen at the end of the season?
Chris: Suns wise: Baynes is going to be a bigger miss than we think. The Suns need a back up big behind Ayton (not at all high on Jones or Stix) and also need a reliable third ball handler off the bench that's more capable than the guys we have. And Ayton...Ayton is going to continue being frustrating. I think the CP3 effect on Ayton is going to be overblown. CP3 is a great leader but he's not going to change Ayton's mentality or basketball IQ overnight. So we'll still see games where Ayton sleepwalks, we'll still see boneheaded moments, we'll still see ill advised shot selections. I think every Suns fan is excited for the season but is perhaps overestimating things when it comes to Ayton and how good this team can be. Yes, I think they can be 5th in the West because this is a good regular season squad, but I also temper my Ayton hopes at the same time. Remember, the ceiling for this team will continue to hinge on Ayton, especially with playoff basketball. I hope I am wrong on every single one of these Suns takes, of course! Other hot takes: Britain's own OG Anunoby is going to have a fantastic year (draft him if you're playing fantasy). The Hornets with LaMelo are going to be a lot of fun to watch and might surprise some people. Steve Nash is going to be just fine as a coach. The Bucks will fall apart, they'll fire Bud and Giannis will walk. Let me just throw another Suns hot take in: James Jones will win Exec of the Year.
Craig: Ayton wins MIP.
Ross: Not so sure it’s hot, but looking for Bridges to be huge this season. He’s a real glue guy for this team, locking up opposing teams and could be a dark horse for MIP.
Matt A: Devin Booker will be in the MVP conversation next season. He is a star player and now with CP3 we have one of the best backcourts in the NBA. I can see Book being a 30 a game scorer and with the Suns getting more national coverage he will be in that MVP talk with the best the league has to offer.
Anything else you'd like to add/say?
Chris: Enjoy the season. Pretty much none of the last ten years have been fun. I was in my 20s the last time the Suns had a legitimately good team (the Nash era), and I'm old/lucky enough to enjoy some of the 90s era (inc. Barkley) too. I don't mean that as a humble brag or anything, but I'm conscious that a lot of newer or younger Suns fans may not have gotten to see some good Suns teams in their time. This really looks like a special team, so appreciate it, enjoy the season and if you're on Suns Twitter, avoid the drama that sometimes crops up and focus on enjoying this team. It's been great watching Booker's development from a rookie to an All Star, so it will be special watching him lead this team into the postseason.
Craig: Go Suns.
Ross: Playoff basketball will be back on the menu in Phoenix. The Fellas are here.
Matt A: I’m just buzzing for the season to begin, which has been a while since I thought that way being a Suns fan. What Jones has managed to do in 2 years is turn the Suns around from the basement of the league to certain playoff team. Phoenix has not been a superstar destination for some time and CP3 actually wanted to come here. He obviously saw what the Suns did in the bubble and fancied teaming up with Book, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton. The adding of Paul helps us with Booker also as he has expressed his desire to make the post-season for the first time. If CP3 has a season this time around like he did for OKC, good times are ahead for the Valley!
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