2017-18 Finish: 40-42

In mid-October, Phoenix made a big decision that affected their season. They traded away assets to pick up a star, knowing he probably wouldn’t play at all this season.  From the outside looking it, it looked like the Suns would now only be making up the numbers, a sacrifice to benefit the future.  Taking that into effect, the Suns went much better than expected, would keeping Chandler and Hardaway have been the difference in Phoenix tasting ultimate glory, we will never know.

Season Highlight:

The day Melo joined the club, what a difference he made.  Pennywise pulled off a ripper trade in week 15 at the trade deadline to bring in the star small forward, a final hope to rescue the season. The turnaround was drastic to say the least, Phoniex went on a 15-5 run to finish the season, not only sneaking into the playoffs, they took the 6^th seed. No one wanted to face the Suns, and it took the best from the Western Conference champions to end the Suns season.

Season Lowlight:

Getting knocked out of the playoffs always hurts, but it wasn’t the lowest point for the Suns. Not having Hayward for the season also hurt, but they knew it was a possibility when they got him. It was at the end of week 15, the team was 25-37 and it looked like making the playoffs was going to be impossible. That was the low point, not realising things would turn around.

Best Trade:

Wilson Chandler, Timothy Hardaway and 2019 2nd (Chi) to the Houston Rockets for Gordon Hayward.

Even though it was a lost season for Hayward, this is an awesome trade for Phoenix, it will pay dividends in the next season and beyond.  2 role players and a late 2^nd for the guy who is now arguably the Suns best player.

Worst Trade:

Quincy Pondexter to the San Antonio Spurs for Ben McLemore.

I actually don’t think the Suns had a bad trade, they won them all, if I had to choose the trade they least won on, I guess I go with this.  Ben McLemore only played for 2 weeks before being on-traded, Pondexter didn’t play a game for the Spurs, quickly being released.

Other Notable Trades:

Isaiah Canaan to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Glenn Robinson III.

This was a steal for Glenn Robinson, was part of the run to help Phoenix make the playoffs.  Canaan was released a month later, playing a total of 15 minutes for the Timberwolves.

Carmelo Anthony, Kyle Collinsworth, 2nd-Rounder (Orl) and -19 GM points for Nemanja Bjelica, Marcus Georges-Hunt, Jordan Clarkson, Ben McLemore, 2nd-Rounder (Mil) and 2nd-Rounder (Utah)

This was a huge trade to bring in Melo, they had to give up a good mix of rotation players including Jordan Clarkson who was starting, it was worth every Penny and the cherry is seeing Melo return on a Veteran Minimum contract.

Johnny OBryant and a 2nd-Rounder (Mem) to the Denver Nuggets for Salah Mejri.

No idea why anyone would want OBryant so this was all about the 2^nd round pick, Mejri was a 2k glitch for the season, in the 2 weeks he played in the regular season, he didn’t lose a game.

Marcin Gortat, 2^nd round pick (still owed) and 10 GM points for Tyson Chandler and Troy Brown.

This one is up in the air, as we don’t know how it will play out. Chandler misses allot of games, he is a gun defensive anchor and when playing, will make all the guys around him better. Gortat knows how to rebound and score, played all 82 games, known not really for his defence, he was 13^th in blocks and 21^st for steals last season, really had a great season.

Free Agency:

Carmelo Anthony (FA)

A priority re-signing and for a Veteran minimum, is a great re-sign.

Salah Mejri (RFA)

Another easy re-sign as a RFA at Minimum and will play a quality roll off the bench.

Treveon Graham (RFA)

Suns have extend the qualifying offer and will look to bring Graham back on a cheap 2 year contract.

Glenn Robinson III (FA)

Pennywise will want to bring Robinson back, just a question of GMs. He got a 2 year deal in the NBA at a quality prove it rate.

Georges Niang (RFA)

Suns have extend the qualifying offer and will look to bring Graham back on a cheap 3 year contract.

Jeff Green (FA)

Pennywise will want to bring Greemn back, just a question of GMs. He changed teams in the NBA and is on a veteran minimum, I think he leaves and Pennywise may bid for him to return.

Kendrick Perkins (FA)

Gone

Briante Weber (RFA)

Gone

Star:

Kemba Walker is a leader on this team, having another great year for the Suns.  Missing only 1 week for the season, he was pivotal, even stepping up his numbers in Playoffs.  Kemba is a top 10 point guard and a big part of the Phoenix Suns future.

Goat:

Glenn Robinson III was a bargain, but never lived up to his 2k potential. With Robinson on the court, the team was +1.9, with him off the court the team was +7.9 better. It was during the playoffs where Robinson crumbled, while on the court the team was -8.4, comes off for a rest, and the team +9.2 better. Shooting at only 39% and 29% from deep, the team was glad he only shot 7 times a game. If the Suns were to proceed, it was always going to need the wings to take advantage of the Spurs only weakness, Robinson crapped the bed.

Draft Grades (from Insider):

SG Troy Brown Jr., Oregon freshman

The Suns needed a SG and they traded into this spot here to take the mock draft faller in Brown. He’s young and a project, but he has the tools to be a really nice 2 way role player which should fit well with the ball hungry likes of Kemba and Hayward. He can play behind Melo/Hayward while he develops his jumpshot and hopefully then slide into the starting role after Melo is gone as a low usage 3 and D wing. Grade: B+

PF Vince Edwards, Purdue senior

The Rockets spammed the league to make this pick and found a taker for the future 2nd and points. Will Edwards be worth it? He’s inconsistent and lacks feel on the defensive end, but he’s got a good shot on him which bodes well for a combo forward. Grade: C+

PG Tony Carr, Penn State sophomore (To Begin Professional Career In Italy)

In Carr you see shot making and defensive potential, but a lack of heart and desire, as well as a terrible career 2pt percentage of 39.6% which suggests he will struggle against bigger and more agile defenders at the next level. He’s a longshot. Grade: C

The Future-

Hayward will at last line-up for the Sun, and become the face of the franchise. The success of this team will depend on how well the players gel, every player except Chandler will want their touches, and the thing that might affect them is not having a player with the floor general badge to keep them in line.  With so much money invested in the starting line-up, rotations and complementary rotation players will be key.  Keeping this in mind, I think the Phoenix Suns are potentially a top 4 team in the West, fighting for home court advantage next season.