Phoenix Suns: 2019-20 NBA season preview

Predictions

Taking apart a roster and putting a new one together is often difficult and time consuming. In the eyes of the beholder, there’s always something that can be fixed or altered.

But for this Phoenix Suns team, there’s a whole lot of beauty to be found.

The team opted to spread its cap space availability to a number of new faces and gave the roster just the restart it needed. The question being where it puts the Suns at the end of next season.

Most likely the Suns fall into the 25-30 win region, but let’s be generous and give them the benefit of the doubt. 30 wins would be a steep improvement from a season ago and display to fans that the franchise is done tanking for sport.

To say the Suns win 40 games, is much too optimistic. That’s because the NBA has restored balance back into the league, much to the dismay of bottom dwelling teams. That means most will be competing for a playoff spot and nearly every game for the Suns translates to a must-win for the opposition.

Another obstacle the team faces is an absolutely brutal February schedule that includes a four game stretch against the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Lakers and Golden State Warriors (Feb. 7-12).

Those are some of the top teams in the Western Conference and entering March the team should be lucky if they win more than three games in the second month of 2020.

Although the Suns are much improved from a year ago, it’s tough to see the team leaving the bottom half of the conference.

All bets counted, the Suns should finish around 12th place in the Western Conference, missing out on the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season.