Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Way too early predictions for the 2018-19 Phoenix Suns

By Adam Maynes

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 03: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns sets the play against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on January 3, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 03: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns sets the play against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center on January 3, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. 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. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 06: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns walks on the court during a 2018 NBA Summer League game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 92-85. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 06: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns walks on the court during a 2018 NBA Summer League game against the Dallas Mavericks at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 92-85. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Deandre Ayton

He has announced he wants to do it so let’s say he does: Deandre Ayton will be the 2018-19 NBA Rookie of the Year.

But that’s not my bold prediction.

Deandre Ayton is the first number one pick in Phoenix Suns history, and he is also the (presumably) first dominant center the Suns have ever had from the beginning of the career as well. This will mean a bit of a learning curve for Phoenix Suns fans as we are not used to seeing anyone in the post at such a young age that we will be seeing with Ayton.

That said, we, as NBA fans, are used to seeing that kind of a player in the league and we know how important dominant centers can be.

Ayton has also said that he will be an All-Star this season, which if he accomplishes it will make him the first rookie All-Star in the NBA since Blake Griffin, and the Suns’ first rookie All-Star since Walter Davis all the way back in 1977.

I wish, I wish, I wish  that I could safety predict that he will follow through on that, and yes I do believe that he will at least be Rookie of the Year, however, my bold prediction will not be accolades, but instead the statistics that not only make him one of those kinds of players, but also the kind that is rarely seen in Phoenix Suns lore:

Deandre Ayton is going to average a double-double as a rookie.

Why is this so bold?

Because no Phoenix Suns drafted rookie has ever averaged a double-double in his rookie season.

The only Sun to do so?

Connie Hawkins. 24.6 points and 10.4 rebounds in 1969-70, his first year in the NBA.

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