3 Suns who could surprise in 2024-25

The Phoenix Suns are headed to training camp soon, and their media day is also on the horizon. They also have a clear vision on what it is they are trying to achieve - win a first ever NBA Championship - and have worked hard to add the players to make that happen. No matter what anybody else tries to tell you.

With some new faces in the door, now is a time when it is right to feel optimistic about how the season will play out for every one of them. If you go back to this time last season though, that same optimism existed for Yuta Watanabe, Drew Eubanks and Keita Bates-Diop. None of them last the season, so it is only natural some players will disappoint again.

But there will be others who go in a different direction.

Take Grayson Allen for example, who had a career year in The Valley last time out after being part of the trade that landed Deandre Ayton with the Portland Trail Blazers. He took over for the injured Bradley Beal, became a starter and led the league in 3-point shooting. That might not be replicated again, but there's still reason for optimism.

3. Damion Lee

Damion Lee enters the 2024-25 campaign in an enviable position, as anything he provides for this group will be like found money. He missed all of last season with a meniscus injury that required surgery - and although he certainly could have added to the Suns' backcourt rotation - he was in truth forgotten about quickly.

The hard part for Lee will be trying to carve out a consistent role for himself, and that is not likely to happen right away. But having never even worked properly with previous head coach Frank Vogel, he returns to the roster with a clean bill of health and a fresh slate to work with new leading man Mike Budenholzer.

Hard as it may be to remember now, but Lee shot a scorching 44.5 percent from deep on 3.3 attempts prior to going down with injury, and doing similar again is going to see him get chances to impress. Even if he can come in and play 15 minutes, handle the ball a small amount and knock down a couple of shots, that's a clear upgrade on the zero he provided last season.

Entering the final year of a minimum deal, it could also be that he is traded down the line, even though the Suns are in the second apron and could only get something back of equal contract value. But if Lee could convince a team to part with a second rounder in return for a rental on his services - with a view to bringing him back next season - that is still a win for the Suns as it nets them future assets.

2. Josh Okogie

Yes you are reading that correctly, why can't Josh Okogie actually become important to this group again? He starter the first game of last season - and although he was brought back on a new contract with a view to trading him down the road - there's nothing that says that the organzation actually has to do that.

Okogie is certainly a limited player, but he's still only 26-years-old. As the Suns have continued to round out their roster this summer, it has also become increasingly apparent that they don't have many other players like him either. A legitimate wing defender who might often give up some size, but who plays that role gladly.

The Suns are going to play some small lineups this coming season - the addition of Tyus Jones supposedly as a starter will make sure of that - but Okogie can help turn the tide when he enters a game. There's some rigid offensively play that goes with that, but at this point he's a veteran who can give Devin Booker a break chasing some of the best scorers in the world around the court.

It may be that Okogie is moved before the deadline, but a niche has been created here for him to impress. He's not competing with Jones or Monte Morris directly for minutes, while rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro are going to make mistakes and have to sit. Allen and O'Neale are better offensive players, but Okogie gives them something different.

1. Royce O'Neale

This is the one that feels like it is nailed on to become a reality, with O'Neale having hit the ground running in Phoenix when he came over at the deadline last season. So the surprise here is not that he'll just continue to play his role well with the Suns, it's that much like Allen last season, he could quickly surpass it.

O'Neale looks comfortable playing next to the stars that the Suns have, and he also has a bit of size to go with his shooting stroke. He might not be as athletic as Allen, but he's still capable of having an impact on both ends of the court. With Allen unlikely to match his own amazing 3-point shooting numbers from a year ago, how quickly could O'Neale take his spot?

Even more interesting is if Beal misses time through injury - as many expect he will - and if that could even open the door for O'Neale to start. Allen looks like the better sixth man option right now, whereas O'Neale alongside Booker and Kevin Durant just works. He also did himself no harm in the playoffs, and was one of the few Suns who left that harrowing experience with their head held high.

With so much emphasis on Jones and backup Mason Plumlee joining this roster, it could actually be O'Neale who makes the most oversized contribution. That would also increase his trade value - and having only signed a new deal to return to The Valley this summer - the franchise could suddenly have a very difficult decision on their hands if the phone rings.