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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
Dec 1, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) advances the ball during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Best-Case Scenario

In the Suns’ case, their “best-case” scenario would probably be another season like their miserable 2015-16 campaign. Minus the rash of injuries, Phoenix would be in a better place playing the youngsters to “tank” the season, earning another top-5 selection in a LOADED draft class to add to their promising core.

By feeding their players of the future more minutes than veteran players like Knight, Dudley and Chandler, the Suns would not only actively build toward their future, but they’d ensure another tantalizing young prospect joins them on their quest in the draft.

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In this best-case scenario, Watson starts Devin Booker over Brandon Knight, and though the defense predictably suffers, Booker takes the next step to becoming a go-to scorer, thriving off Bledsoe’s penetration and enjoying an even better sophomore campaign.

Len proves to be the superior starting center and replaces Chandler in the lineup, harnessing his tutelage to start resembling the defensive anchor this team needs for the future. Ulis establishes himself as a legitimate backup point guard despite his size disadvantage, while Bender and Chriss absorb everything Dudley has to offer like sponges, making smaller, but noticeable strides in their games.

The Suns either trade Knight or thrive with him embracing a sixth man role, Bledsoe stays healthy, and the team winds up with another top-5 pick in 2017.

Worst-Case Scenario

The worst-case scenario is one Suns fans have seen too many times over the last few seasons: The team is competitive enough to stay just outside the playoff picture, but never good enough to truly enter the conversation.

Bledsoe and/or Knight get hurt again, which all but kamikazes their potential trade value. Booker fails to live up to the hype coming off the bench behind Knight, who is resentful about the constant questions about coming off the bench and the bright future of Drake’s favorite Wildcat.

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Len is unable to prove himself as a starting-caliber center, and the Suns begin considering long-term alternatives in the back of their minds. Ulis hardly plays, while Bender and Chriss look out of their league, showing very little signs of progress in their first seasons.

Phoenix finishes in the 35-40 win range, putting them out of the top-5 draft picks but nowhere near the playoff picture. Essentially, the Suns suffer their seventh straight year of missing the playoffs in another lost season that never featured as many developmental minutes as it should’ve.

Next: Predictions

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