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

1. Win Rookie of the Year

It logically follows that the No. 1 pick in any given NBA Draft should set his sights on winning Rookie of the Year as a tangible goal. Some have been talented or fortunate enough to set a goal like “lead a team to the playoffs” or “compete for a title,” but since that’s unrealistic for Phoenix, Deandre Ayton should focus on proving his worth as the first selection in a top-heavy draft class.

In fairness, Rookie of the Year is the least likely award to predict a player’s worth or indicate future success. There are plenty of former ROYs who quickly burned out in the NBA (cough, Michael Carter-Williams, cough), so it’s not the end of the world if he doesn’t win, nor is it a surefire sign he’s going to dominate the league one day either.

However, taking a look at the 69 ROY winners (three were co-winners), 28 have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

That doesn’t include stars like Alvan Adams, Walter Davis, Buck Williams, Terry Cummings, Chuck Person, Mark Jackson, Derrick Coleman, Larry Johnson, Amar’e Stoudemire, Steve Francis, Elton Brand, Tyreke Evans and Derrick Rose, or more recent players whose time will come like Chris Webber, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Pau Gasol, LeBron James, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Damian Lillard.

The point is, although Rookie of the Year does not always equate with lasting success in the NBA (especially recently), it usually does. In a loaded draft class that included Doncic, Jackson, Bamba, Marvin Bagley III, Trae Young, Wendell Carter Jr., Kevin Knox and so many other quality candidates, winning this award would indicate that Ayton had a terrific debut season the Suns can build upon.

Team success doesn’t factor in here quite as much, but it has more in recent years. If Deandre Ayton wins the award, it’ll mean he either put up monster numbers that are undeniable regardless of Phoenix’s low win total, or he put up impactful numbers for an improved team. Either outcome would be a victory for the Suns, both in 2018-19 and for their future rebuild.