After falling to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night with a 124-121 final score, the Phoenix Suns slid into a 17-59 record for the season. With just six regular season games to go for the Suns, they are not only a lock for the worst record in the Western Conference but have a real chance at finishing with the fewest wins in the league. As this 2018-19 campaign tallies the fourth consecutive season in which the team wins less than 30 games, this lack of success has become trademark for the franchise.
Phoenix’s struggles haven’t slowed down their star guard, Devin Booker. Despite being one of the most talented and promising young players in the league, he is routinely overlooked or forgotten about as his efforts are overshadowed by his team’s inability to win. However, if the Suns aren’t able to surround him with a team that can at least compete and at least earn regular playoff appearances, Booker may seek a divorce from the team that drafted him in favor for better opportunity elsewhere.
The league is experiencing a similar situation currently with Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans. In late January, Davis informed the Pelicans of his disinterest in remaining with the team long term, essentially requesting a trade to team that would allow him to compete for a title.
After not being traded midseason, it is all but certain that he will be dealt this summer following a seven-season tenure with the Pelicans. As Devin Booker finishes out his fourth season with the team and last season on his rookie contract, a trajectory mirroring Davis’ would give Phoenix only three or four more seasons to ensure Booker wants to remain with the organization. That said, once his new contract kicks in next season he will be eligible to be traded. If he ends up unhappier than expected even sooner, the writing could be on the wall for his time with the Suns.
Players who have worked their way out of a franchise like Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, or Davis (who eventually will) are elite, top of the league talent. Their status and trade value help make that process possible for them. In wondering if he would be able to have the same kind of pull, it is worth asking just how good is Devin Booker?
For starters, over the Phoenix Suns last two games, Booker has scored a combined 109 points and became the youngest player in league history with back to back 50-point games. At just 22-years-old, he is already one of the best scorers in the league. After finishing last season with 24.9 points per game, he is on pace to complete this season with 26.5 points per game, which is currently good for ninth best in the NBA.
While scoring on a bad team often doesn’t carry the same weight as it would playing for a competitive, or even competent, team, what he is doing early on in his career is indicative of incredible talent. Since the NBA/ABA merger there have been only 13 players who have averaged at least 25 points per game when they were 22 or younger. Names on the list include all-time greats like Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Durant, and Michael Jordan. More impressively, though, is that among all of those players, Booker averages the lowest number of minutes per game played. The young man’s ability to score is no joke.
For the Phoenix Suns, the pressure is on to ensure that they keep their best player happy with the direction of the franchise. The team has had every chance to construct a viable roster laden with talented young players. Since the summer of 2013, they have drafted players in the first round 12 times, including six lottery selections.
Despite their list of opportunities, the team has drafted poorly on more than one occasion and mismanaged their roster to the point that they will likely be the recipients of a top-five pick this summer, marking their fifth in the last seven years.
All hope is not lost for Phoenix, though. If they can straighten out their front office, this team has a solid chance to turn things around. With the upcoming draft being top-heavy and clear cut in terms of which players should be selected with the first couple picks, it would be difficult for the Suns to mess this one up.
Adding a player like Ja Morant or Zion Williamson to a core of Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton could create the foundation for a legitimate NBA roster. More importantly, however, it could make Phoenix an, at least somewhat, attractive destination for free agents. While Tyler Johnsons player option for next season haunts their books, the Suns will have plenty of operable cap space in the 2020 offseason, as Devin Booker and T.J. Warren are the only players that will be on their roster not on a rookie scale contract.
Building a solid NBA team takes time, but the sand is running out for the Phoenix Suns as players are more frequently taking control of their career early on and making sure that their prime isn’t wasted in long-term rebuilds or bouncing in and out of the playoffs season after season. The Suns don’t have to be title favorites to keep a star player like Devin Booker happy- they just have to be good.
As they head into the offseason with as good as possible of a shot at the first overall pick in the draft and some personnel vacancies to address in the front office, this summer could have a substantial ripple effect on the team for seasons down the road.
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