Phoenix Suns: 2017-18 NBA season preview

As the Phoenix Suns embark on their 50th season as an NBA franchise, here’s a complete preview of what should be expected in 2017-18.

Spoiler alert: The Phoenix Suns are not going to be a good NBA team in 2017-18. In a loaded Western Conference, their chances of preventing an eight-year playoff drought are less than optimal.

However, unlike most seasons since general manager Ryan McDonough took over in 2013, there’s reason for hope in the Valley of the Sun. The reason? He and owner Robert Sarver are on the same page as far as being patient with a fledgling youth movement.

The path to the playoffs, let alone Western Conference contention, will be a long one for Phoenix, the fourth-winningest NBA franchise of all time that’s still never won a championship despite this being its 50th season in the league.

However, with Devin Booker, incoming rookie Josh Jackson and a bevy of young, moldable players, the prospect of potential has given rise to #TheTimeline movement that has Suns fans excited for the first time since Goran Dragic led his plucky 2013-14 team to 48 wins and nearly earned a playoff berth.

As the Golden State Warriors continue their holy war on NBA parity, now is as good a time as ever to commit to a long-term rebuild, assembling a young core that will grow together and hopefully become a perennial title contender down the road.

With expectations lowered and an organizational commitment to developing these young players, the Suns will be worth watching this year…even if their win-loss record doesn’t reflect it. Here’s a look at their 2017-18 season preview.

2016-17 Vitals

24-58, 5th in Pacific Division, 15th in Western Conference
107.7 PPG (9th)/113.3 PPG (30th)
106.6 Offensive Rating (22nd)/112.2 Defensive Rating (28th)

Team Leaders

Scoring:  Devin Booker, 22.1 PPG
Rebounding:  Tyson Chandler, 11.5 RPG
Assists:  Eric Bledsoe, 6.3 APG
Steals:  P.J. Tucker, 1.5 SPG
Blocks:  Alex Len, 1.3 BPG

Honors
NBA All-Rookie Second Team:  Marquese Chriss