2018-19 Phoenix Suns

2017-18: 21-61
Draft picks: (1-ish),16,31,59
Signed for next season ($78.4m): PG Brandon Knight, C Tyson Chandler, PF TJ Warren, SF Jared Dudley, SF Josh Jackson, PF Alan Williams, PF Dragan Bender, PG Devin Booker, SG Troy Daniels, PF Marquese Chriss, PG Tyler Ulis, SG Davon Reed

This summer's free agents: Alex Len, Elfrid Peyton, Danuel House, Shaq Harrison, Alec Peters
House and Peters are on 2-way contracts. I assume they will not re-sign Len, Peyton or Harrison. They'll have a top pick in this draft, another 1st rounder and a top 2nd rounder, those should probably replace anything they'll be losing here, leaving plenty of cash for a splashy free agent signing (Demarcus Cousins, anyone?).

Okay, what do they do what that (potentially) top pick? Personally I prefer Marvin Bagley (Duke) but I assume the Suns would take Deandre Ayton (Arizona). Gary Trent (Duke) could be there at #16 to give them a combo that could hit the rotation right away. #31 should leave some interesting possibilities: Keita Bates-Diop (Ohio State) or Mykhalovich (Kansas) or Tony Carr (Penn State); kinda depends on if they can move Knight and/or Chandler. #59 is probably best used on European talent.

First thing they need to do is hire a coach. Mike Budenholzer has reportedly already withdrawn his name from consideration, leaving Jason Kidd as the probable top of the list.  Ehhh, Kidd has a history with the Suns (I suppose that'll be worth something) but its kinda hard to assess what kind of coach he'd be based on his previous stints with the Nets and Bucks. (He's already traded Brandon Knight once and won a championship with Tyson Chandler, so can we say we already know where his personnel thinking lies?) There are always a handful of assistants out there looking for a gig, but the rest of the free agent coaches include Mark Jackson (I don't see that happening), David Blatt (I think Blatt can be a good coach but I wouldn't suggest going to Phoneix to find out), Jeff Hornacek (uhhh, no, that ain't happening), Frank Vogel (maybe, Phoenix isn't the same empty cupboard that Orlando was), Vinny Del Negro is reportedly interested (not a bad choice, actually, history has been rather kind to him) and everyone will mention Villanova's Jay Wright (if I were Wright I'd stay at Nova for at least one more contract--winning is better than money). If not Kidd, then I can see David Fizdale getting this gig. His tough love style may be the best thing for Booker, Jackson and Ayton and perhaps he can still get something out of Chriss and Bender.

Next year's lineup should look something: PG Booker, SG Knight, SF Jackson, PF Warren, C Chandler with Dudley, Bender and Chriss off the bench, in addition to one or two rookies, and whichever free agents they can lure in.

Free agents: yeah, I said it, they should go for Demarcus Cousins. He's a special kinda cat, he needs the ball and the attention at all times. The Suns are currently Devin Booker's team but I think Booker and Cousins can share. If they can get that combo to work then the development of Chriss and Bender (I'm not a fan of either of those guys, incidentally), Jackson and this year's lottery pick becomes the focus for the next 2-3 years. Also, I'd take a run at Jusuf Nurkic, tough inside, can score and defend and play within a team concept. (Can you imagine Cousins and Nurkic together? Oof! No one wants to play against that lineup) I don't see Lebron or Chris Paul being interested pulling the banana boat into Phoenix, nor will the Suns be in the mix for a Kawhi trade or luring Durant or Paul George in. (Hmmmmm....would they be interested in pursuing Chris Bosh? If Bosh really wants to play it may have to be with a bottom feeder team like Phoenix) But Cousins can have his run of the place and they should have money to throw at him.

For now: even with a new coach, a new superstar lottery pick, a new free agent stud and a coupla promising youngsters already in-house, there's no reason to think the Suns will be any good next year. Jackson and Chriss are still too unformed to be real contributors. That said, the league looks to be in flux right now, and the Suns could strike gold with the right mix of elements.