Phoenix Suns: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

3. Josh Jackson wins Rookie of the Year

This is a bit of a long shot, but there’s a reason these predictions are “bold.” In a loaded draft class that includes Rookie of the Year favorites like Ben Simmons, Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz and Dennis Smith Jr., there’s a chance Josh Jackson doesn’t even earn enough minutes to be in the conversation.

However, if the Suns don’t extend T.J. Warren before their upcoming deadline, it may signal that the front office is not convinced he has a long-term role with this team. Jackson is already being pencilled in as the team’s go-to small forward for the long haul, but if starting minutes are immediately up for grabs, #TheTimeline could see Jackson leapfrog Warren right away.

To be fair, Warren closed his up-and-down 2016-17 season on a very strong note, averaging 17.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game on 52 percent shooting after the All-Star break. But if Jackson’s defense is NBA-ready and he can fine-tune that jump shot of his, he stands a chance of jumping into the starting rotation, if not on opening day, then later on as the season progresses.

Rookie of the Year honors would require Warren to struggle a bit and Jackson to fill the holes on both ends of the floor, but if he can accomplish a few rookie year goals like shooting a decent percentage from deep, tackling defensive challenges and posting something like a 15-8-4 stat line, he could legitimately put his name in the ROY debate.

Sure, it’d take underwhelming years from Ball, Smith, Simmons and Fultz, and yes, the Suns’ losing record could very easily take Jackson out of the equation. But the No. 4 overall pick and one of the best two-way players in this draft class can’t be completely excluded from the conversation either, especially if he jumps into the starting lineup.