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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PHILADELPHIA,PA – JANUARY 26: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers waits for the rebound against the Phoenix Suns at Wells Fargo Center on January 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA – JANUARY 26: Richaun Holmes #22 of the Philadelphia 76ers waits for the rebound against the Phoenix Suns at Wells Fargo Center on January 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Richaun Holmes

The acquisition of Richaun Holmes was the biggest surprise of the summer. Not because he is especially good; not because the Suns weren’t still looking to make improvements to the roster; not because the trade essentially cost Phoenix fan favorite Jared Dudley; but because he was never a player that fans knew the Suns coveted and targeted.

The two trades that day were out of the blue moves that involved not only the loss of Dudley, but also the end of another fan favorite in Phoenix, Alan Williams.

From Holmes I do not expect a lot statistically, but if he can provide the same energy and intensity that both Dudley and Williams brought each time they entered the court, he will not only become a fan favorite himself, but well worth the loss of the former players.

That said, because of the level of energy and excitement that he brings, especially being particularly athletic around the hoop, I predict that Holmes will set a career-high in dunks this season and slam in over 100.

Holmes’ current career-high is 92 dunks in 57 games in 2016-17, an average of about 1.6 dunks per game. If he can average that level this season, he’ll almost certainly play in enough games with Tyson Chandler not playing in back-to-backs and potentially resting for others, finishing second on the team in dunks behind only Deandre Ayton.

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