Phoenix Suns: 3 takeaways from the 2018 offseason

After a busy but under-the-radar summer, the Phoenix Suns are ready for the next phase of their rebuild. Here are three takeaways from their 2018 offseason.

After finishing with the worst record in the NBA last season, the Phoenix Suns hit perhaps the lowest point in their 50 years as a franchise. Their 21-61 record was the team’s worst since the Suns’ inaugural season. In the process, they were no longer the league’s fourth-winningest franchise all-time, ranking dead last in offensive rating, defensive rating and point differential.

For their struggles, the Suns were mercifully granted the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, giving them the chance to add another franchise cornerstone alongside rising phenom Devin Booker and rookie Josh Jackson in Deandre Ayton.

Phoenix also traded up to add Mikal Bridges at No. 10 and drafted Elie Okobo to start the second round. In free agency, general manager Ryan McDonough’s big move was signing 3-and-D veteran Trevor Ariza to a $15 million deal, which is a good one-year maneuver. The Suns also secured their long-term future, fully investing in Booker with a five-year extension.

The question is, what do all these moves mean for the Suns’ prospects in 2018-19? What roster concerns were answered, and what problems still remain for this young team?

In order to sort it out, here are three takeaways from the Phoenix Suns’ 2018 offseason.