National Basketball Association

Phoenix Suns: 5 Bold Predictions Heading Into 2016-17

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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We take a look at the Phoenix Suns to provide 5 bold predictions for the 2016-17 NBA season.

The last we saw the Phoenix Suns, they were wrapping up one of the worst seasons in their 48-year history. Only their inaugural season (1968-69, 16-66 W/L) was better than the 2015-16 team’s 23-59 record.

Things ebb and flow in the NBA, but right now, the Suns are stuck in neutral. They’ve missed the playoffs six consecutive seasons, and despite a change in philosophy and an exciting young nucleus, that streak doesn’t appear to be in danger of changing. With that, let’s look at our first bold prediction.

1. The Suns Will Regret Letting Jeff Hornacek Go

When a team struggles, blame often lands at the feet of the head coach. Ultimately, the players were the ones bricking shots during the 2015-16 season — they were 28th in the league, shooting 43.5 percent — but it was Coach Hornacek that fell on the proverbial sword. Earl Watson took over and put up a worse win/loss percentage (Watson .272, Hornacek .285). Blame injuries, blame chemistry, but I don’t think it was Hornacek’s fault.

2. Eric Bledsoe‘s Numbers Will Garner Him All-Star Attention

A healthy Bledsoe can put up numbers as good as anyone in the NBA. Just last year, Bledsoe averaged 20.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.0 steals with a shooting line of .453/.372/.802. Granted, his team was just 12-19 in the 31 games before his season-ending knee injury, which is the only reason he doesn’t get more All-Star attention each season. If the Suns can hang around .500 (a tall task, but not impossible), Bledsoe might earn his first All-Star nod.

Oct 3, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender (35) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Kyle Anderson (1) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

3. Dragan Bender Won’t Play More Than 750 Minutes

Let’s be fair, right off the bat — there is a steep learning curve for all but the most talented players coming into the league, and Bender is still just 18 years old. Of the 60 players drafted in the 2015 NBA Draft, only 18 played more than 750 minutes. You have to show ability and have the opportunity, both of which could prove to be an issue this season. In limited time, Bender looked uncomfortable and raw. It doesn’t help that the Suns are jammed at the 4, and seem convinced that Jared Dudley is going to fill that role. Marquese Chriss also looks like he’ll get time, leaving Bender very little time.

4. Brandon Knight Could Win Sixth Man of the Year

What do we know about Knight at this point? We know he can fill it up in a hurry and he’s best suited to a higher volume. I’m betting that he’ll thrive in a Sixth Man role, as he’ll have the ball in his hands and will have the greenest of green lights. Even though 2015-16 feels like a lost season, Knight put together his most prolific offensive campaign, averaging 19.6 points and 5.1 assists. He didn’t shoot particularly well (.415/.342/.852), but neither did Jamal Crawford (.404/.340/.904). Just sayin…

5. Devin Booker Cracks The Top 10 Shooting Guard Rankings

There are a lot of young, solid shooting guards in the league, from Klay Thompson to Jimmy Butler, James Harden to C.J. McCollum, Bradley Beal to DeMar DeRozan — and while all of those guys can fill it up, Booker showed as much promise in his rookie year as anyone we’ve seen. His offensive game is so refined at this point, folks are wondering if he can make the All-Star Game this season. His defense leaves a lot to be desired, but we were saying many of the same things about Thompson back in 2011-12. To save you a click, Thompson made the All-Star Game in 2014-15 and 2015-16, earning All-NBA third team both years.