Phoenix Suns: 2018-19 NBA season preview

With the 2018-19 NBA season just weeks away, it’s time to take a look at what to expect from a young Phoenix Suns team that wants to compete again.

Last season, the Phoenix Suns finished with the worst record in the association at 21-51. They posted the league’s worst offensive rating, defensive rating and point differential, and suffered as many 40-point losses during that 82-game campaign (four) as they had in the prior 49 years as a franchise combined.

Suffice it to say as long as they don’t lose this year’s opener by 48 points, there’s nowhere to go but up for the 2018-19 Phoenix Suns.

It was a busy summer for general manager Ryan McDonough, whose team earned the No. 1 pick in the draft, traded up for the 10th overall selection, snagged a second round steal at No. 31, re-signed its franchise player to a five-year max deal, targeted veterans and shooting in free agency and on the trade market and still managed to exit the offseason without a true starting point guard.

With Devin Booker‘s rapid rise to stardom and Phoenix facing a potential nine-year playoff drought, the Suns realize the pressure is on to start putting a legitimate team around their franchise player. They positioned themselves well for the future with the additions of Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton, but what can be expected from this year’s team?

The Western Conference got better all around this summer, making this the worst possible time to try and start being competitive. However, with a new head coach at the helm, more wings than a KFC bucket and no established starter at the 1, here’s a look at the Suns’ upcoming campaign.