2018-2019 Finish: 49-33

Season Highlight: This team was steady all season and the GM remained patient with the squad and led them to another playoff appearance. The highlight had to have been the play of Kemba Walker who will be discussed more down below. He played every game and increased his points per game from 19.4 to 31. He truly played like an elite NLL point guard and the team benefited from him being on the court every single game.

Season Lowlight: This was a talented squad and while they rose in the standings out West, I think the front office expected a bit more from their team and thought they’d close the gap on the Clippers and the other elite Western Conference teams. Also, getting knocked out in the first round of the playoffs is never where a team wants to end their season.

Best Trade:

The Miami Heat send Rudy Gay and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Suns send Michael Beasley, Ekpe Udoh and Treveon Graham to the Miami Heat.
The Phoenix Suns send a 1st-Rounder (Pho) to the Miami Heat.

This was one of two trades that went down that involved a player. My opinion of Michael Beasley is quite low so sending him out is addition by subtraction in my book. They brought back Rudy Gay, who always does well in 2k.

Worst Trade:

The Golden State Warriors send Michael Beasley to the Phoenix Suns. The Phoenix Suns send Jodie Meeks to the Golden State Warriors.


The Golden State Warriors receive 15 GM points. The Phoenix Suns trade -15 GM points.

This was the other player trade where they not only brought in Beasley but also spent 15 GM points to acquire him.

Other Notable Trades

N/A. Penny and the Suns were not active in the trade market last season.

Free Agency

It will be a busy offseason for Penny and the Suns. Armed with 99 GM points going into FA Day 1, here’s who will be free agents for the Suns:

Kemba Walker – The star of the team and is a S&T player. Rumors are that the Suns are bringing in some big names so is Kemba on the way out?

Al Horford – Yikes, that is a rough cap hold of $43.39 million. He’s 33 but still a stud. He’ll likely cost the team most of their GM points if they choose to retain him which I think they will.

Rudy Gay – This man can score. I’m sure the team would want to retain him and he might not cost too much to retain, with his A loyalty and likely leaning to stay with the Suns.

Carmelo Anthony – He’s gone.

Dorian Finney-Smith – Restricted free agent, will likely be retained.

Star

Kemba Walker – the beloved son of Phoenix and a league favorite, Kemba put the team on his back this year. He started all 82 games and scored at a clip of 31 ppg. He had a better supporting cast with him this season as Gordon Hayward was healthy but this man is what willed this team to victory. Often nominated for Player of the Week, he deserved all the praise he got last season.

Goat

Carmelo Anthony – only playing for 1 week for the Suns this season, Carmelo might have played his last NLL ball. The Suns clearly didn’t miss him so that speaks volumes.

Draft Grades

Phoenix Suns - #20) Brandon Clarke, #52) Marial Shayok, #57) Jaylen Hands

The steal of the draft might be Clarke at #20.  He was a top 10 talent in my book, and he looks like he could make a major impact right away.  Both 2^nd rounders are kinda meh but I do like Shayok as a guy that can be a good contributor off the bench.

Grade: A+

The Future

The future looks bright but possibly a bit cloudy as there is uncertainty around their star point guard. However, Penny is a strong GM and knows how to steer the organization to where it wants to go. With rumors swirling that big-name players are heading to Suns, might this team look to take one of the top spots out in the West?