Phoenix Suns: 3 players facing the most pressure in 2018-19
When a rebuilding team starts trying to win again, the younger players inevitably face pressure. Here are three Phoenix Suns feeling the heat in 2018-19.
It’s been nearly a decade since the Phoenix Suns were a respected NBA franchise. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2010, they’ve slipped all the way from fourth in all-time winning percentage to seventh as a result of a few miserable seasons, and they’re not expected to end the postseason drought in 2018-19.
Still, after trying to tank in his first season on the job, being forced to build through the middle following a 48-win season and finally bottoming out in 2015-16, general manager Ryan McDonough’s burgeoning rebuild is finally starting to find its footing.
The team signed franchise star Devin Booker to a five-year max extension after he averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game in 2017-18. It also enjoyed its first No. 1 overall draft pick in franchise history by taking Deandre Ayton, and spent the rest of the summer adding floor-spacing and young prospects to make life easier on its two stars and strengthen the core.
More. Suns - 3 takeaways from 2018-19 Media Day. light
The Suns will be hard-pressed to sneak into the playoffs in a loaded Western Conference this year, but from Booker to Ayton to Josh Jackson, the franchise pillars are in place. Point guard is still a glaring position of need, but veteran 3-point shooters like Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson (plus rookie Mikal Bridges) should help spread the floor in head coach Igor Kokoskov’s system.
As such, the 2018-19 campaign can be viewed as a proving ground of sorts. Anytime a rebuilding team tries to transition past the “bottoming out for top draft prospects” stage, there’s pressure on those high lottery picks to perform and start ushering in a new, more competitive era.
Right now, Devin Booker is the only player capable of doing so, but the question still stands: Which Phoenix Suns are facing the most pressure heading into the new season?
Honorable mentions like Josh Jackson, who faces a crowded wing rotation after a very up-and-down rookie year, and Deandre Ayton, who will face pressure as any No. 1 pick does, were considered, but here are the three Suns who need to deliver the most in 2018-19.