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Phoenix Suns: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court in the first half of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court in the first half of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phoenix Suns are on the precipice of a full-scale rebuild, but they also have enough talent to once again aim high for a playoff spot. What should be expected of them in 2016-17?

Phoenix Suns
Mar 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball up the court in the first half of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

When general manager Ryan McDonough took over the franchise in 2013, the Phoenix Suns were set for a full-scale rebuild.

But thanks to the surprising success of the 48-win Suns, who tied the 2007-08 Golden State Warriors as the winningest team in NBA history to not make the playoffs, Phoenix’s rebuild was accelerated, and they’ve been trying to build from the middle up ever since.

Coming off a 2015-16 season that was plagued with injuries, locker room discontent and a disconnect between head coach Jeff Hornacek and his players, the Suns bottomed out to earn the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft and dive further into an emerging youth movement.

However, with Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight returning from season-ending injuries and veteran fan favorite Jared Dudley returning home to play power forward, the Suns could very easily opt to pursue a playoff spot in their first season under head coach Earl Watson.

Related Story: Los Angeles Lakers: 2016-17 Season Outlook

Watson, who took over the job as the interim head coach in the wake of Hornacek’s firing, has emphasized building a better culture and fostering the growth of the younger players. But will the Suns actually abide by those principles in 2016-17?

Phoenix has badly needed a full-scale rebuild — meaning around a couple of lost seasons and smart drafting — for half a decade now. The 2016-17 season could mark a full immersion into that doctrine…or another unfortunate speed bump obstructing the path back to prominence.

2015-16 Vitals

23-59, 4th in Pacific Division, 14th in Western Conference
100.9 PPG (22nd)/107.5 OPP PPG (28th)
102.2 Offensive Rating (28th)/109.0 Defensive Rating (25th)

Team Leaders
Scoring: Eric Bledsoe, 20.4 PPG
Rebounding: Tyson Chandler, 8.7 RPG
Assists: Eric Bledsoe, 6.1 APG
Steals: Eric Bledsoe, 2.0 SPG
Blocks: Alex Len, 0.8 BPG

Honors
NBA All-Rookie First Team: Devin Booker

Next: Roster

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