Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Five signs this season has been a success

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Alex Len #21 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 24, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Alex Len #21 and Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 24, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 26: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns goes for the tip off against the Boston Celtics on March 26, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 26: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns goes for the tip off against the Boston Celtics on March 26, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

For the Suns, losing is actually a win – and they have done so masterfully

Let’s be real: nobody in the Valley of the Suns truly believed that they were a good team from the start. Earl Watson was retained over the summer because they hoped he would be bad enough to keep the losing going, not because he was good enough to create a playoff team out of thin air.

Eric Bledsoe‘s trade demand was, in a way, fortuitous. McDonough was likely going to trade him this season anyway, but getting rid of him earlier (although it completely tanked his trade value) did allow the point guard situation to remain in flux for 79 games, more than enough to keep losing.

The more the Suns lose – by design – the better their odds are at snagging the top pick in the draft, and the potential of selecting a franchise altering player – namely center DeAndre Ayton. But even if the lottery gods spit on the Suns once again and they are jumped in the lottery, even if they finish with the worst record, the worst they can finish in the draft is 4th, which would still give them a potential star player, or plenty of ammunition for a trade for one.

What would have been bad  this season would have been the Suns winning 30-35 games, just enough to tank their draft status, but nowhere near enough to make the playoffs and make the winning even somewhat worth it. So by losing – a lot – and doing so in quite the spectacular fashion, Phoenix is on the verge of a top-4 pick (so long as they don’t suddenly start winning over their final eight games), and with that selection spot, the opportunity at a young star to run alongside Devin Booker and Josh Jackson.

Home/Suns News