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Phoenix Suns: Predictions For The 2015-2016 Season

By Troy Tauscher

Sep 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns (from left) forward P.J. Tucker , forward Markieff Morris , center Tyson Chandler and forward T.J. Warren pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns (from left) forward P.J. Tucker , forward Markieff Morris , center Tyson Chandler and forward T.J. Warren pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) drives the ball against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) and guard Gordon Hayward (20) in the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeat the Jazz 101-85. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Archie Goodwin (20) drives the ball against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) and guard Gordon Hayward (20) in the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeat the Jazz 101-85. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

Prediction No. 3: Archie Goodwin does not play the entire season with the Suns

Yes, they started him in a preseason game.  Yes, they’ve said he’s part of the long-term plan. Yes he’s got skills and could be a rotation player. All of these things are true.

Ultimately, the Suns sticking with him and then not giving him minutes is unfair to him and useless to the team. They may as well cash in.

Like I said, Goodwin seems like he should and could be something. He’s fearless and athletic. It feels like he could become a legitimate threat attacking off cuts or in transition, as well as being athletic enough to be a tolerable on-ball defender. But then you look at his shot chart. Sigh.

Suns
Archie Goodwin’s 2014-15 regular season shot chart via NBA.com/stats /

It also doesn’t help that the Suns decided the best way to get him minutes was to play him at point guard late last season. He doesn’t see the floor well, especially for his age, and he’s not the most careful. He averaged 3.2 turnovers per 36 minutes last year.

Essentially, he’s an incredibly raw Eric Bledsoe without all the awesome things that make Eric Bledsoe’s deficiencies tolerable.

Finally, Goodwin can’t shoot, and as I mentioned here, the Suns need more shooters. The current roster looks to struggle to manufacture enough spacing, and if one were to wager on someone adding a three-point stroke, Goodwin wouldn’t be the best bet.

So, Goodwin’s an extremely raw player who isn’t great at a lot of things. He also doesn’t get substantial time, and when he does, it’s out of position. Lastly, he doesn’t have the one skill the Suns really need. While I like Goodwin and still think he has potential, the Suns should move on.

It’s hard to decide what he’ll fetch. Maybe the Suns should explore moving him for a real backup point guard, because Ronnie Price being the only other guy who can run the offense scares the hell out of me. Maybe just flip him for a wing shooter and a second rounder.

Don’t worry though. We’ll always have this to remember him by:

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