Phoenix Suns: 3 reasons this time might be different

1. Kelly Oubre Jr. and Tyler Johnson are real NBA players

For those criticizing Devin Booker for never having led the Suns past the 30-win mark, it’s important to know the context. In his first three and a half years in the league, Booker has had four head coaches, two general managers and more than 50 teammates, many of which were not — or at least, didn’t play like — legitimate NBA players.

Tyler Johnson and Kelly Oubre Jr. are far from superstars, but it’s amazing what inserting two established, legitimate NBA players into the starting lineup can do for a young team.

Johnson isn’t a pure point guard, but his ability to handle the ball and distribute without turning the ball over has taken a major burden off the shoulders of Booker, who is shooting 47.1 percent on catch-and-shoot 3s since his arrival (compared to 38 percent before) and has seen his percentage of assisted 3-point attempts rise from 58 percent to 73.1 percent.

Johnson has accumulated 54 assists and 14 steals to only 14 turnovers in his time in Phoenix, and his physical defense is setting a nice example for his younger teammates.

As for Tsunami Papi, aside from captivating an entire fanbase and christening the young core with the #ValleyBoyz moniker, he’s been extremely effective on both ends of the floor. He’s basically what the Suns have been hoping Josh Jackson would become.

Averaging 16.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game on 45.1 percent shooting, Oubre has helped fill in for the injured T.J. Warren on the offensive end, while far surpassing his defensive abilities on the other. Oubre can defend multiple positions, racks up deflections and gives the Suns another slasher threat when defenses key in on Booker.

While finding a legitimate point guard should still be a priority for the Suns, simply re-signing Oubre over the summer and running it back with Johnson at the 1 wouldn’t be the end of the world, especially if the team finds a way to trade Warren.

Throw in the drafting of Zion Williamson, bringing back Richaun Holmes and allocating Jamal Crawford‘s minutes to De’Anthony Melton, and suddenly this young squad has the makings of a team ready to make a tangible leap in 2019-20. Patience is still required here, but between Booker, Ayton, Bridges, Oubre and Johnson, this group already has the makings of a more competent team that will only get better and better the longer they’re together.