Phoenix Suns: Imagining the best case scenario for next season
By Ryan Bawek
Phoenix Has Risen Again
It all started with the Suns being visited by lady luck during the first-ever virtual lottery as NBA vice-commissioner pulls the Suns card for the No.3 pick of the 2021 NBA Draft in a nearly empty studio.
The ESPN crew comments how this, incredibly, is the first time the Phoenix Suns organization has ever moved up in the lottery.
They cut to a video feed of Suns representative Kelly Oubre losing his mind while holding his good luck charm, his Valley Boyz bobblehead.
The Suns select Dayton power forward and Naismith award recipient Obi Toppin with the 3rd overall pick.
Toppin, 22, is the most NBA ready player and clear breakout star of what is otherwise an underwhelming rookie class.
Related Story. 2020 Lottery Mock Draft. light
He becomes the fourth Phoenix Suns player to win NBA Rookie of the Year and the first since A’mare Stoudemire in 2002-03, averaging 16-8-2 on 47%-39%-75% shooting.
Then in the free agency, the Suns clear cap space by allowing Dario Saric, Elie Okobo and Frank Kaminsky to walk and bringing back Aron Baynes on a one-year deal for the mid-level exception.
They use the cap space to sign Fred VanVleet to a three-year, $45 million contract.
The decision to sign VanVleet and move Kelly Oubre to the bench gives the Suns the most lethal bench unit in the league and Oubre wins NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Devin Booker makes his second consecutive All-Star appearance, his first All-NBA appearance, and becomes the ninth player in NBA history to join the 50-40-90 club, shooting 50% from the field, 41% from 3-point range and 93% from the free-throw line.
He finishes in the top 10 in NBA MVP voting.
Deandre Ayton makes his first all-star appearance after posting a 21-13 season and establishing himself as one of the best two-way centers in the NBA.
Mikal Bridges makes 2nd team All-NBA Defense.
As for team wins? Here is how they get them: