2019-20 NBA Western Conference: Phoenix Suns

Phoenix Suns

Roster (15)

Devin Booker SG

Tyler Johnson SG

Ricky Rubio PG

Kelly Oubre Jr SF

Deandre Ayton C

Aron Baynes C

Frank Kaminsky PF

Mikal Bridges SF

Cameron Johnson SF

Dario Saric PF

Ty Jerome PG

Jevon Carter PG

Elie Okobo PG

Jalen Lecque PG

Cheick Diallo PF

Two Way

None

Starting 5

Ricky Rubio SG

Devin Booker SG

Dario Saric SF

Aron Baynes PF

Deandre Ayton C

Outgoing Players (8)

TJ Warren SF

Josh Jackson SF (Trade, MEM)

Troy Daniels SG (FA, LAL)

Richaun Holmes PF ( FA, SAC)

Jamal Crawford SG (FA)

De’Anthony Melton PG (Trade, MEM)

Ray Spaulding PF (FA)

Jimmer Fredette PG (FA – Retired)

Incoming Players (9)

Ricky Rubio PG (FA, UTAH)

Aron Baynes C (Trade, BOS)

Frank Kaminsky PF/C (FA, CHA)

Dario Saric PF (Trade, MIN)

Cheick Diallo PF (FA, NOP)

Cameron Johnson SF (Trade, MIN (11th pick 2019 NBA Draft)

Ty Jerome PG (Trade, BOS Via PHI – 24th pick 2019 NBA Draft)

Jevon Carter PG (Trade, MEM)

Jalen Lecque PG (Undrafted FA)

2018-19 Final Regular Season Standing: 15th Western Conference (19-63)

2019-20 Projected Season Standing: 14th Western Conference (24-58)

Looking at the incoming vs outgoing players, the Phoenix Suns got better. The question is, how better? Not better enough to make the playoffs, but enough to move up a space or two in the west. The Suns drafted Jarrett Culver with the 6th pick in the 2019 draft and then promptly traded him to Minnesota for Dario Saric and Cameron Johnson, the 11th pick in the draft. They got Aron Baynes and Ty Jerome from Boston for a protected 1st round pick in next years draft. They signed Ricky Rubio and Frank Kaminsky. They traded Josh Jackson, De’Anthony Melton and two future 2nds to Memphis for Kyle Korver and Jevon Carter, before buying out Korver’s contract. They also signed Cheick Diaillo.

As a result of all theses moves, the Suns have one of the strangest hodgepodges of players of any team in the league. It is hard to say how well they will fit together or not. They actually have a more than decent starting lineup, though Deandre Ayton, Last years #1 pick in the draft, was underwhelming to say the least. Perhaps, the work ethic of Aron Baynes, one of the most physical players in the league can help lift him up. The backcourt duo of Rubio and Booker is a strange one, but they could be effective together. Rubio has yet to play next to a guard the caliber of Booker, with his ex teammate Donovan Mitchell probably being the closest.

While the Suns definitely won’t be last, as Memphis has the 15th spot booked, I don’t seem them ascending too much higher in a western conference that has gotten even deeper and tougher over the summer from last season. That said, the Suns could do better than expected. It is again hard to gauge in a wide open west, with their roster.