The Phoenix Suns lost four straight games only once this season. But unfortunately, that streak occurred in the least opportune setting imaginable: the NBA Finals. It left the Suns unable to quench their 53-year thirst for title, and a tough offseason to embark on lying ahead.
Even once considering all the silver lining’s behind this season for Phoenix, such as the surprising nature of their success and the exponential strides taken regarding their player development—the disappointment stemming their Finals loss remains inescapable.
Giannis Antetokounmpo gave new meaning to the term “unstoppable,” averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game for the series. He took home not only the Larry O’Brien trophy, but also Finals MVP honors.
For the Suns though, they need to go back to the drawing board to begin planning their efforts for the 2021-22 season. That starts with the NBA Draft next week.
Possessing the 29th overall pick, Phoenix might need a little luck if they want to select a real difference-maker to join their team for next year. That is not to say that the Suns stand incapable of finding a diamond in the rough toward the draft’s back end, but if a known stud with high upside begins to fall for whatever reason, it certainly makes things easier for those in their war room once on the clock.
Draft night is just as influential to team success as it is unpredictable. Every team knows this— including the Suns. If the dominos fall correctly, they might find themselves with a chance to pull off some serious thievery and select one of these three players.