Welcome to IAI Sports! And welcome to the 2022-23 NBA Season!
To begin the season, we will be running through each NBA team and analysing what they’ve done throughout the off-season. Each article will start off with an introduction, telling a story of how this team is where they are at today. We quickly delve into the results of the 2021-2022 NBA season, before diving into the off-season in’s and out’s.
From there, we go into depth discussing some of the important rotation pieces for the upcoming season, before finishing with a quick analysis of a team’s win totals and a full conclusion of why this team has completed these moves, what their win total will be, and my own predictions of breakout players and what to expect from this team. It’s a season preview series with the purpose of getting you up-to-date with what has happened throughout the league.
A season preview of each of the 30 teams will be released, leading up to the beginning of the NBA season. All data and information included in these articles have been gathered from Basketball Reference, NBA.com and ESPN.
Today’s team is the Phoenix Suns – the best regular season team last season.
Introduction
The Phoenix Suns spent years watching the postseason rather than playing. After a successful era of basketball, led by Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudamire in the mid-2000s, the Suns would struggle in the ultra-competitive Western Conference, going on a 10-season playoff drought and constantly rebuilding to return back to relevance.
Over the next decade, the Suns would have a winning record once, winning 48 games in 2014 and still missing the playoffs. Over that span, the likes of Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, Marcin Gortat, Gerald Green and the Morris twins would try and get the Suns out of the basement of the Western Conference. But none could get them over the hump. The team had a horrible draft record during that time as well, bringing in Kendall Marshall, Alex Len, Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and Josh Jackson with high-end 1st round picks. This lengthened the rebuilding process and reduced any upside the Suns had to begin with.
But one of those lottery picks did work out. At the 2015 NBA draft (fresh off their 48-win season), the Suns used their 13th overall selection to bring in Devin Booker. He showed immense potential from the get-go, as a high-volume shooter and a go-to scorer – someone that the Suns could build around. The problem was that the Suns couldn’t do so – those aforementioned draft busts didn’t work out and the team spent years at the bottom of the Western Conference as a result.
After yet another miserable season in 2018, the Suns were awarded the 1st overall selection, bringing in big man DeAndre Ayton. The team also acquired Mikal Bridges in a trade in the same draft. The following season, the Suns traded for the draft rights of Cameron Johnson. This duo of Booker and Ayton got the Suns to a 26-39 record during the 2020 season, before the season was postponed due to COVID-19. The team got an invite to the COVID Bubble to finish the regular season, where they would win 8 out of 8 games to just miss out on the playoffs.
This small 8-game sample would be the turning point for the franchise. The team went out and brought in two experienced campaigners in Chris Paul and Jae Crowder for the 2021 season. Paul, in particular, most recently helped the young Oklahoma City Thunder to an unlikely playoff appearance. He was able to do the same with this Suns team the very next season, getting them to a 51-12 record and a 2nd place finish in the Western Conference. This roster not only broke their 10-year playoff drought, but made the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993, ultimately falling short of the franchise’s first title to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Last Season
To say last season was a success would be an understatement for the Suns. To go out and break two droughts is a massive accomplishment. The Suns used their off-season to re-sign their PGs (Chris Paul and Cameron Payne), as well as bring players in to improve their depth (Elfrid Payton and JaVale McGee). Even though they were slow out of the blocks, the Suns went on an 18-game win streak to put them up with the best in the Western Conference.
Early in the regular season, the Suns had to compete with the Golden State Warriors for the top of the Western Conference. While the Warriors dropped off after their glorious start, the Suns maintained their winning ways. The team would reach the halfway point with a 31-9 record and improve on their win percentage to finish with a league-best 64 wins, thanks to separate 11, 8 and 9 game winning streaks. Monty Williams would win Coach of the Year, while Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson were finalists for Defensive Player of the Year and 6th Man of the Year respectively.
The Suns had two tough playoff series, surprising for the best team in the regular season. Against the 8th seeded New Orleans Pelicans, they struggled to dismantle the team with 36 regular season wins, beating them in 6 games in the 1st round. Up against the Dallas Mavericks in the 2nd round, the Suns failed to play to the level they showed throughout the regular season. The Mavericks, behind career-best play from Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson, saw past the Suns and won the series in 7-games, which included a heavy 33-point victory on the Suns’ home court in Game 7. It was a disappointing end to the best performing Phoenix Suns team we’ve ever seen, finishing with season ranks of 5th and 3rd for offensive and defensive efficiency.
Off-Season
Ins:
Damion Lee (free agent, originally with Golden State Warriors)
Josh Okogie (free agent, originally with Minnesota Timberwolves)
Jock Landale (trade with Atlanta Hawks, originally with San Antonio Spurs)
Outs:
JaVale McGee (free agency, moved to Dallas Mavericks)
Aaron Holiday (free agency, moved to Washington Wizards)
Elfrid Payton (free agent)
With no draft picks, the Suns used free agency to improve their bench depth on the wing (Damion Lee and Josh Okogie), as well as their big men shooting (Jock Landale). The most important deal of the off-season was the re-signing of DeAndre Ayton, who inked the largest restricted free agent offer sheet in NBA history (4 yr/$132.9m). The extension-eligible Devin Booker also received a max contract (4 yr/$224.2m), while they also brought back mid-season import, Bismack Biyombo.
Because of the resurgence of Biyombo and the acquisition of Landale, JaVale McGee was no longer needed on the Suns roster. Aaron Holiday was a wanted man in Washington, while Elfrid Payton was brought in for depth and was no longer needed.
2022-23 Roster
Starting Five
PG – Chris Paul
| H: 6’0″ | W: 175lbs | Age: 37 |
| Contract: 3 yr/$87.2m | Years Pro: 17 |
Career Averages:
18.1 pts, 4.5 reb, 9.5 asts, 2.1 stls, 0.1 blks, 2.4 to, 47.3%/36.9%/87.1%, 34.5 mins
Averages Last Season:
14.7 pts, 4.4 reb, 10.8 asts, 1.9 stls, 0.3 blks, 2.4 to, 49.3%/31.7%/83.7%, 32.9 mins
2022-23 Projections:
15.9 pts, 4.6 reb, 9.7 asts, 1.7 stls, 0.3 blks, 2.4 to, 48.4%/34.2%/86.4%
Chris Paul is one of the greatest PGs of all time. In 17 seasons, has made 12 All-Star appearances, 4 All-NBA First teams, 7 All-Defensive First teams and has won Rookie of the Year. He is also a 6-time NBA steals leader and 5-time NBA assists leader (including last season, averaging 10.8 per game). Despite all this, he is yet to win a championship, and hopes to accomplish this with the Suns before his career is all said and done.
SG – Devin Booker
| H: 6’5″ | W: 206lbs | Age: 25 |
| Contract: 6 yr/$293.5m | Years Pro: 7 |
Career Averages:
23.5 pts, 3.9 reb, 4.7 asts, 0.8 stls, 0.3 blks, 3.1 to, 45.7%/35.7%/87.0%, 33.7 mins
Averages Last Season:
26.8 pts, 5.0 reb, 4.8 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.4 blks, 2.4 to, 46.6%/38.3%/86.8%, 34.5 mins
2022-23 Projections:
26.0 pts, 4.7 reb, 4.8 asts, 0.9 stls, 0.4 blks, 2.7 to, 47.7%/37.3%/87.4%
Devin Booker has shown from day 1 that he can be a trusted go-to scorer in this league. He put up empty numbers early in his career, before turning a corner and developed a winning edge. He is a 3-time All-Star and was selected to the All-NBA First team this past season. Is the leader of this Suns’ line-up, having the confidence to have the ball at the end of games.
SF - Mikal Bridges
| H: 6’6″ | W: 209lbs | Age: 26 |
| Contract: 4 yr/$90.0m | Years Pro: 4 |
Career Averages:
11.3 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.1 asts, 1.3 stls, 0.6 blks, 0.9 to, 50.9%/37.4%/83.1%, 31.3 mins
Averages Last Season:
14.2 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.3 asts, 1.2 stls, 0.4 blks, 0.8 to, 53.4%/36.9%/83.4%, 34.8 mins
2022-23 Projections:
13.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 2.2 asts, 1.1 stls, 0.6 blks, 0.8 to, 53.6%/38.9%/83.6%
Mikal Bridges broke out last season to be one of the best wing defenders in the competition. Despite a small decline in his steal and block rates, he proved to be one of the toughest to score on, being selected to the All-Defensive First team and as a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. Bridges is a very efficient scorer (50.9% from the field for his career), as well as an above-average 3-point shot (36.9% from 3-point range last season).
PF - Cameron Johnson
| H: 6’8″ | W: 210lbs | Age: 26 |
| Contract: 1 yr/$5.9m (RC) | Years Pro: 3 |
Career Averages:
10.4 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.4 asts, 0.7 stls, 0.3 blks, 0.7 to, 44.0%/39.0%/84.3%, 24.2 mins
Averages Last Season:
12.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.5 asts, 0.9 stls, 0.2 blks, 0.7 to, 46.0%/42.5%/86.0%, 26.2 mins
2022-23 Projections:
11.4 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.5 asts, 0.8 stls, 0.3 blks, 0.7 to, 45.2%/40.3%/84.8%
Many thought the Suns reached to bring Cameron Johnson in as the 11th overall selection back in 2019. But has shown his worth by being a perennial 6th man to begin his career. Johnson provides elite 3-point shooting and floor spacing, while being able to guard opposing forwards. He will step up and become the starting PF, after Jae Crowder requested a trade from the Suns organisation.
C - DeAndre Ayton
| H: 6’11” | W: 250lbs | Age: 24 |
| Contract: 4 yr/$132.9m | Years Pro: 4 |
Career Averages:
16.3 pts, 10.5 reb, 1.6 asts, 0.7 stls, 1.0 blks, 1.7 to, 59.9%/25.0%/75.4%, 30.7 mins
Averages Last Season:
17.2 pts, 10.2 reb, 1.4 asts, 0.7 stls, 0.7 blks, 1.6 to, 63.4%/36.8%/74.6%, 29.5 mins
2022-23 Projections:
16.4 pts, 10.3 reb, 1.6 asts, 0.7 stls, 0.9 blks, 1.6 to, 62.4%/33.7%/76.2%
Despite being a former 1st overall selection, DeAndre Ayton isa high-upside complementary piece to the ball dominant Chris Paul and Devin Booker. He came into the league as a strong rebounder, but has developed his interior and midrange scoring as his career has progressed (54.6% vs 63.4% from the field). As Paul gets older, Ayton will have to become more of an enforcer and become the #2 option on offence behind Booker.
Backups
G - Cameron Payne
| H: 6’1″ | W: 183lbs | Age: 28 |
| Contract: 2 yr/$12.5m | Years Pro: 7 |
A former lottery selection with the Oklahoma City Thunder (selected 14th overall), Cameron Payne has thrived as the backup PG to Chris Paul. He shone during the 2021 season, shooting efficiently across all three levels (48.4% from the field and 44.0% from 3-point range). However, Payne struggled to replicate that level of efficiency in 2022 (40.9% from the field and 33.6% from 3-point range).
G - Landry Shamet
| H: 6’4″ | W: 190lbs | Age: 25 |
| Contract: 4 yr/$43.0m | Years Pro: 4 |
Landry Shamet has bounced around the league in his short spell in the NBA. Playing for the 76ers, Clippers, Nets and now Suns, Shamet has provided high volume 3-point scoring. He is the spark plug that can come off the bench and give the offence spacing (especially as he shoots over 66% of his shots exclusively from 3-point range).
F - Torrey Craig
| H: 6’7″ | W: 221lbs | Age: 31 |
| Contract: 1 yr/$5.1m | Years Pro: 5 |
Torrey Craig was projected to become a 3-and-D specialist, with the length and defensive versatility he possesses. However, he has shown one season of league-average 3-point shooting (36.8% in 2021), while the rest have been a struggle for consistency. Nonetheless, he is a reliable option to have at the end of a bench – a solid defensive wing with experience at both the NBA and collegiate level.
F - Dario Saric
| H: 6’10” | W: 225lbs | Age: 28 |
| Contract: 1 yr/$9.2m | Years Pro: 5 |
Dario Saric came to the league as a solid prospect with a reliable 3-point shot. He has shown this throughout his career, hovering around the league average. He can be a strong presence for the boards, especially as a larger forward. Shown signs of prosperity off the Suns’ bench as an undersized back-up Centre, before an ACL season cut his 2021 season short and his entire 2022 campaign.
C - Bismack Biyombo
| H: 6’8″ | W: 255lbs | Age: 30 |
| Contract: 1 yr/$2.9m | Years Pro: 11 |
Bismack Biyombo was the model of durability throughout his time in Orlando. On a big contract, he played reliable back-up minutes, bringing elite rim protection. Biyombo fell out of the league due to his untrustworthy offensive skillset, before the Suns took a flyer on him mid-way through last season, as a player replacement for the COVID-19 outbreak. He was excellent, thriving while playing alongside Chris Paul, and was rewarded with a guaranteed deal for this upcoming season.
The Rest
11. Damion Lee (SG)
12. Josh Okogie (SG)
13. Jock Landale (C)
14.
15. Jae Crowder
T-W. Ish Wainright (SF/PF)
T-W. Duane Washington Jr (PG/SG)
Season Projections
Sports betting agencies currently have the Phoenix Suns win totals sitting at 53.5, the best in the Western Conference, and the equal 2nd best in the NBA. After last season’s historic regular season, it is not a surprise to see the Suns predicted to be the best once again. Especially since their core is still intact, there shouldn’t be any reason why the Suns cannot get past 53 wins and reach the Western Conference Finals once again.
Conclusion
The Phoenix Suns are a contender in the Western Conference. This team should have made a statement and become a back-to-back Western Conference champion last season, but couldn’t get the job done against a flying Dallas Mavericks squad. The question surrounding this team is: can they recover and get back to being one of the best teams in basketball?
Because there is so many storylines floating around this ball club, which is far from ideal for a contending team. Firstly, the DeAndre Ayton contract speculation that haunted the Suns all of last season remains a concern, due to the intricacies of playing time and the Suns’ opinion of his value. Now that the Suns did match the Indiana Pacers offer sheet for the restricted free agent, Ayton cannot be traded until December. Meaning, that there will be more trade conjecture from the media until he publicly states he wants to remain in Phoenix.
The other issue is with ownership and the impending sale of the franchise to a new owner. Will this impact the way the team plays or the morale of the squad? It won’t be as much of a concern compared to the Ayton situation, as the team were able to win 64 games last season while dealing with the antics of Robert Sarver. But it is another unnecessary distraction that has the chance to derail the Suns’ season, if they’re not careful.
Bringing back DeAndre Ayton and signing Devin Booker to a max extension cements their two cornerstones for the foreseeable future. Otherwise, the rest of their minimal cap space was spent bringing in players that help with depth. Damion Lee brings a recent pedigree of championship experience, having won with the Golden State Warriors last season. Josh Okogie gives the Suns a young guard with a defensive-minded approach – someone who the Suns can allow more time to develop offensively. While Jock Landale gives the Suns something different in the front court, as a big man with shooting and playmaking touch.
Let’s go back to the question, can the Suns recover from their disappointing 2nd round exit and be one of the best teams in the NBA again? While I don’t think that they will be the best, they will be at the top of the Western Conference and competing to get back to the NBA Finals once again. With teams like the Clippers, Nuggets and Timberwolves all improving over the off-season, it will be tough to match last season’s record of 64-18, just because the Western Conference has gotten so much stronger.
I also don’t believe the Suns will be able to match last year’s 3rd-placed defensive efficiency. Jae Crowder wanted out of the organisation, resulting in the Suns losing a tough, defensive-minded forward. While they still have Mikal Bridges to fulfill that void, Cameron Johnson (who is not as strong defensively as Crowder) will slot in as the starting PF. And while Ayton is a good defensive player, he isn’t renowned for his rim protection and interior defence. Combine this with an ageing Chris Paul, and I think the Suns will take a step back next season on the defensive side of the ball.
Despite this, the Suns remain one of the more potent offences in the competition, which will grow stronger with the Johnson inclusion in the starting line-up. He is a much more consistent 3-point shot compared to Crowder, meaning opposing defences will have to cover him more often, leaving space for Booker, Paul and Ayton to go to work. The team has the potential to remain a top-5 offence, but could also drop depending on the cohesiveness of the other contenders.
It’s reasonable to say that the Suns won’t match last season’s 64 wins. They took advantage of a weakened Western Conference and had one of the better regular seasons in Suns’ history. However, they’re still one of the best teams in the Western Conference, especially with the core of Paul, Booker and Ayton. For this reason, I’m predicting the Suns to win 54 games and remain in the top echelon of the Western Conference. It will be a big season for Johnson, who will lift the ceiling of this Phoenix offence and allow Booker and Paul to facilitate and create with more space. Ayton will also have to show the organisation and rest of the league why he was deserving of a max rookie extension. As Paul gets older, don’t be surprised to see a leap offensively from Ayton.