With the bulk of the Suns Summer League roster announced today, I wanted to share a few of my initial though..."/> With the bulk of the Suns Summer League roster announced today, I wanted to share a few of my initial though..."/> With the bulk of the Suns Summer League roster announced today, I wanted to share a few of my initial though..."/>
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Early Expectations for the Suns Summer League

By Adam Maynes

Jun 23, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (left), forward Alec Peters (center) and guard Davon Reed pose for a photo holding up jerseys during a press conference to introduce the 2017 Suns draft picks at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (left), forward Alec Peters (center) and guard Davon Reed pose for a photo holding up jerseys during a press conference to introduce the 2017 Suns draft picks at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender (left), guard Tyler Ulis (center) and forward Marquese Chriss pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender (left), guard Tyler Ulis (center) and forward Marquese Chriss pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender

Marquese Chriss was placed in the starting lineup eight games into last season and never relinquished the role opening 75 total games. Some would say that his participation in the Summer League is entirely unnecessary. However, as a sophomore Sun – who didn’t have a breakout  season per se, unlike Devin Booker the year prior – it is important to get Chriss as many pro-level reps as possible to hopefully speed his growth process along and make him into an impact player even sooner. That being said, he will probably walk into the Summer League not only as the best player on the Suns’ roster, but also as one of the top players participating.

On the other hand, Dragan Bender had a disappointing rookie campaign statistically, and due to an injury late in the season missed a considerable amount of time that was designed for the younger players to log extra minutes. He needs this Summer League more than anyone to help, at least on some level, make up for lost time. Hopefully Bender comes out of the shoot ready and firing, and by firing, I mean shooting three’s. His shooting was awful in the 2016 Summer League, something that was highly concerning to Suns fans. In the regular season he did level out somewhat, however a strong shooting Summer League could be a sign of good things to come for the former number four overall pick.

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