Phoenix Suns: 2017-18 NBA season preview

Best-case scenario

Josh Jackson earns the starting job from day one, but T.J. Warren proves himself as an intrinsic part of #TheTimeline by thriving in his sixth man role. Alex Len doesn’t pan out, but that works out for the best as the Suns avoid paying for his services when Dragan Bender shows signs of rim protection and defensive versatility as the starting 5.

Devin Booker enjoys a breakout season that puts him in the national spotlight, while Marquese Chriss slims down and shows some progress on the defensive end.

The Suns trade Eric Bledsoe and/or Tyson Chandler for future draft assets and with another poor record, earn a top-two pick in this year’s draft, giving them their choice between Luka Doncic and Tempe native Marvin Bagley III as yet another franchise cornerstone for the rebuild.

Worst-case scenario

Watson shows the same devotion to his veterans that he did at the start of 2016-17, feeding Bledsoe, Chandler and Dudley heavy minutes. Chriss doesn’t earn enough playing time despite being the starter by name and carries the same weight and accompanying lack of burst he showed in NBA Summer League.

Bender and Jackson don’t get enough minutes to prove their two-way skill-sets and the Suns continue to play Bender out of position with mismanaged lineups. Warren starts but doesn’t show any of the flashes of life he showed after the All-Star break last year. Booker doesn’t show any signs of progress on the defensive end and his shooting numbers remain unsatisfactory.

Phoenix remains in the playoff hunt for too long thanks to an easier first half schedule, tricking themselves into thinking they can earn the 8-seed. The Suns don’t move any of their veterans for young talent or draft picks and win 35-40 games — falling well short of the playoffs while still missing out on a game-changing rookie in a top-heavy draft.