Sports Nation Suns Poll

Last week ESPN’s daytime show Sports Nation ran a poll for a segment on the Phoenix Suns and what they shold do moving forward.

They asked voters four simple questions:

1. Based on expectations, how would you rate the Suns’ season? (A/B/C/D/F)

I could see the logic in choosing any one of the possible options based on an individual’s particular perspective, although I personally voted B. For the first time since 2010 the franchise has a legitimate plan for the rebuild and didn’t veer off the path. Surprisingly, neither Robert Sarver nor Ryan McDonough got itchy with the losing and forced a giant trade that might have won games this season at the expense of the future. While no Valley of the Suns fans were happy with the losing, there is no doubt that there is palpable excitement surrounding the team’s future as we inch closer to the lottery, and knowing that we were able to witness the near exponential growth of Devin Booker, as well as Tyler Ulis, Marquese Chriss, and T.J. Warren, only made the bitterness of the losing record, all the much sweeter.

2. Who was the team’s MVP? (Eric Bledsoe/Devin Booker)

Prior to his being shut down in early March, Eric Bledsoe was hands down the team’s MVP, putting together the best season of his career, and falling just short of the franchise’s first 20p/5r/5a regular season average since Charles Barkley. However, once he was shut down, Devin Booker, who too was having a spectacular season to that point, showed the basketball world shades of what he will become and coupled with a 70-point game against Boston not only positioned himself as the unquestioned face of the franchise, but wrestled away the mantle of team’s MVP.

3. What is the No. 1 question facing the Suns this offseason? (Is Bledsoe the PG of the future?/Should they trade vets?/How will the Suns use cap space?)

Personally I don’t see the idea of trading away vets as the number one off-season priority, although if first round picks could be acquired, there would be no hard feelings from fans. And unless Kevin Durant, Gordon Hayward, or Blake Griffin desperetly wanted to come to Phoenix as free agents, or the Suns are able to acquire star talent on big contracts via trade, the Suns should not be in a rush to use up any particular percentage of their cap space just to make a splash as the risk of wasting it and potentially stunting the team’s growth is too high.

This leaves the question of whether or not Bledsoe is the point guard of the future, to which the answer is found only in who Ryan McDonough draft’s first in June. Should the Suns land Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, or another top-tier point guard, then it only seems natural to want to move on from Bledsoe via trade. However, if they draft Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum, then they may be forced to hold onto Bledsoe, which again answer’s the question.

4. What is the Suns’ single biggest need? (Wing Defense/Shooting)

Phoenix’s biggest need is probably defense, however at this point they probably do not have the luxury of being too picky in either the draft or via free agency. Whoever the best player available and the best fit for the roster is needs to be chased and only when they have a winning team should they focus on filling specific holes. If Ryan McDonough can attract more scoring, he needs to bring them in. If the best he can do is a wing defender, that need to be his priority. Certainly a combination of the two would be ideal, and if in the draft Josh Jackson is both McDonough’s top priority and available when he selects, that would be exciting.

(The poll is still open so feel free to vote and check the answers that the voters chose).