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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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Phoenix Suns
Sep 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (left) and guard Eric Bledsoe pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2016-17 Roster

Leandro Barbosa, SG
Dragan Bender, PF
Eric Bledsoe, PG
Devin Booker, SG
Tyson Chandler, C
Marquese Chriss, PF
Jared Dudley, PF
Archie Goodwin, SG
John Jenkins, SG
Brandon Knight, PG
Alex Len, C
P.J. Tucker, SF
Tyler Ulis, PG
T.J. Warren, SF
Alan Williams, PF

Offseason Additions
Leandro Barbosa (free agent, Golden State Warriors), Dragan Bender (No. 4 overall draft pick, Croatia), Marquese Chriss (No. 8 overall pick via Sacramento Kings, Washington), Jared Dudley (free agent, Washington Wizards), Tyler Ulis (No. 34 overall draft pick, Kentucky)

Offseason Subtractions
Chase Budinger (free agent, unsigned), Jon Leuer (free agent, Detroit Pistons), Ronnie Price (free agent, Oklahoma City Thunder), Mirza Teletovic (free agent, Milwaukee Bucks)

Quick Thoughts

By and large, the Suns look similar to their 2015-16 rendition that won a grand total of 23 games. With Bledsoe (51 games missed), Knight (30 games) and T.J. Warren (35 games) all back and healthy, however, Phoenix should be a more competitive team in 2016-17.

Alex Len is still going to be battling to prove he’s ready to surpass Tyson Chandler as the team’s starting center. Archie Goodwin is still stuck in a log-jammed backcourt, Bledsoe is still Phoenix’s best two-way player and in a best-case scenario, the Suns still project to be one of the first teams to narrowly miss out on a playoff spot in the West.

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However, there are some key changes to personnel that suggest another tanking season could be in effect, especially if injury-prone guys like Bledsoe and Knight struggle to stay on the court again.

In the draft, the Suns snagged three promising rookies in Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and Tyler Ulis. Ulis may earn real burn as the team’s only option at point guard when Bledsoe and Knight both need a rest, but the big upside lies with the 19-year-old and 18-year-old power forwards.

Bender and Chriss will take time to develop into franchise cornerstones as boom-or-bust candidates from this year’s draft, which is why Dudley’s return to Phoenix is about more than just bringing back a former fan favorite.

Sure, the returns of Dudley and Leandro Barbosa carry a sense of nostalgia, but they’re also crucial additions if only for the veteran presence they’ll bring to a young locker room. Those two were around for the franchise’s last glory years with Steve Nash, and Dudley’s arrival prevents Bender or Chriss from being fed to the wolves from day one.

Next: Storyline 1: What's The Goal For This Season?

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