Phoenix Suns: 5 goals for Deandre Ayton in 2018-19

As the No. 1 pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, expectations are high for Deandre Ayton. Here are five goals for his rookie season with the Phoenix Suns.

Deandre Ayton was the first selection in the 2018 NBA Draft, taken by a Phoenix Suns organization that’s never had a No. 1 overall pick, hasn’t won a championship in its 50 years of existence and whose best centers in franchise history are Alvan Adams and Mark West.

Oh, and he’s also a local product who went to high school and college in Arizona, making him a hometown hero that will be expected to become a defensive anchor and complementary offensive force to Devin Booker for the league’s worst offense and defense last year.

Throw in the Suns passing on other the enticing prospects of a top-heavy draft like Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Mohamed Bamba and it’s safe to say Ayton faces a bit more pressure than the typical No. 1 overall pick.

There’s no question this 20-year-old is physically NBA-ready; he’s already built like a modern-day David Robinson being a chiseled 7’1″ and 250 pounds. However, there are certain skills on both ends of the floor that need work, even for a rookie who seems like he’ll be an instant contributor and nightly double-double threat from the jump.

Heading into his highly anticipated debut season, here are a couple of realistic goals for Deandre Ayton that will not only put him in a good position in 2018-19, but for the long haul as well.