Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Phoenix Suns still have time to finish as an offseason winner

By Peter O'Keefe

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 20: Devin Booker #1of the Phoenix Suns high fives Deandre Ayton #22 after scoring against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 20, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 20: Devin Booker #1of the Phoenix Suns high fives Deandre Ayton #22 after scoring against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on October 20, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Many have criticised the Phoenix Suns offseason, believing that a lack of roster upgrades sets them up for a major challenge to again top the NBA’s Western Conference. But perhaps the issue has been overblown to an extent, especially given the franchise is still in line to make a significant move.

Unlisted as a team who’s had a good or bad offseason, the Phoenix Suns still have time to elevate themselves into the positive category.

In one respect you can state that the Suns have made important deals – they re-signed Deandre Ayton to a four-year, $133 million deal, gave superstar Devin Booker a supermax contract extension, and lengthened the deal of head coach Monty Williams.

The changes to last year’s roster are minor, fringe moves that are unlikely to swing the Suns fortunes one way or another. Still, in an ESPN survey of 15 league coaches, scouts and executives, Phoenix weren’t given a vote for the team with ‘the worst offseason’. Seven teams got at least one vote, with the Dallas Mavericks topping the list with six.

Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker.
Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker, guarded by Jalen Brunson who left for the New York Knicks in free agency. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

By the same token, the Suns weren’t one of eight teams to receive a vote for the best offseason. That’s not a surprise, but it is a little disappointing for a team who considers themselves in championship contention.

In contrast, another team in contention, the Boston Celtics, topped the list with six votes, although that was prior to the news that Danilo Gallinari will miss the entire season with an ACL injury.

Fortunately for the Suns, there’s still time for them to make a move that rises them into the ‘winner’ category. The likelihood of them making a trade before the season is fairly high – they have interest in adding to the roster through a player like Bojan Bogdanovic, while Jae Crowder’s future continues to be a question mark. 

Next. Josh Okogie listed as Phoenix Suns’ ‘best new weapon’. dark

It’s not that Phoenix have had a bad offseason, it’s just one that some fans will be disappointed with, especially when the prospect of landing Kevin Durant appeared possible at one stage.

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