How good will the team be defensively? Is the worst behind us, or are more 40 point losses to come?
Starting with the second question, the Suns worst days are without a doubt in the rearview mirror. Things happen during an 82 season, and sometimes teams don’t bring enough effort on a given night, but in general, there shouldn’t be any expectation of 40 point losses based on the talent of this team.
Now back to the first question, the Suns can definitely have a league average defense this season.
Bridges, Jackson, and Ariza can all defend. Even bench guys like Reed and Chriss can be solid defenders this year. Booker has the athleticism to improve defensively in a better system. And Ayton, when used properly, is a versatile defender who can switch screens and block a few shots.
They’re still young. There will be some really bad looks considering they have a new coach, new players, and a lack of NBA experience. But the pieces are all there for this defense to compete night in and night out.
A culture change to focus on defense would also be a huge help. Ariza is a smart veteran and quality defender. Jackson and Bridges are gritty. If Kokoskov can take all these pieces, put in a good system, and develop a defensive-minded culture, the team should be much improved from the beginning of the season to the end.