3. Jackson shows improvement, Ayton doesn’t disappoint, and Booker remains at least as good as last year
As the roster stands now, the Phoenix Suns’ core is Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Josh Jackson. There is a very real chance that this is the “big-three” that the franchise will ride into the future with a number of playoff appearances brought to Phoenix on their shoulders.
Accepting the notion that making the playoffs will be a near guarantee this season, expectations surrounding the core will still be high. Their ability to stand tall as worthy of being the core of a franchise must be proven to all by their play on the court.
Devin Booker has thus far risen to his ever higher expectations, but his ability to continue to prove that he is a franchise cornerstone does not appear to be too much for him to handle. In fact, if nothing else, he embraces it and wants to not only be the superstar fans hope he develops into, but also the face of the franchise that Phoenix has been dying to advertise and celebrate for some time.
Josh Jackson showed the league he could play with a solid second half of the 2017-18 season, however the first half left much to be desired. He then had a poor showing in the Las Vegas Summer League (results that I personally take with a grain of salt), making many fans wonder if he is anywhere near approaching his prime, or if he still has several years to go.
Deandre Ayton looked fine in Vegas, but has otherwise not yet played an NBA game, so at the moment all fans have to ride on is hope and expectations.
Yet, if these three each show up this season and prove that A) Booker really is a star, B) the second half of last season was no fluke for Josh Jackson, in fact he has even taken another step forward, and C) even if Ayton is overshadowed by another rookie or two, he at least shows enough to prove his worth as the number one overall pick, no matter what the record is at the end of the season, fan’s hopes will be high, and the season will have been a success.