23. Phoenix Suns

By: Lucas Kochevar 

     The Suns have been rough for the last couple of seasons ever since Steve Nash left, but they might have finally turned the corner with SG Devin Booker. The Suns have found their franchise player and they could have another one in SF Josh Jackson. The Suns still have front court issues and the PG situation is up in the air as Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight get injured every single year. The Suns have front court issues which is why they drafted Dragen Bender and Marquese Chriss. Bender was sidelined for the whole year after injuring his knee early on. They will need the former 4th overall pick to play better in order for him to not be labeled a bust. This is my projected lineup for the Suns this year.

PG: Eric Bledsoe
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Josh Jackson
PF: Marquese Chriss
C: Tyson Chandler

6th Man: T.J. Warren

     Eric Bledsoe is a great PG when healthy but that is his issue, he is never healthy enough to last an entire season. Tyler Ulis is a serviceable backup since Brandon Knight is gone for the year. He will not be a long term option sue to his size. The SG position is obviously held down by Devin Booker as he is a stud. He dropped 70 in a game last season which is one of the best scoring games in NBA history. At SF it is a battle between rookie Josh Jackson and T.J. Warren. I like Jackson to win the battle due to his crazy athleticism and great defensive instincts. Also, we do not know what he can be in the NBA, where we do know what T.J. Warren is and that is a solid perimeter threat. The PF position will most likely be Marquese Chriss. Chriss is a fantastic athlete but he needs to develop more in his game so that he can be more of a threat. Bender will be pushing him for that starting spot. The center will be the ageless rebounder Tyson Chandler. Chandler has been in the NBA for a little bit and has been a presence on the floor defensively. Alex Len might be able to steal that spot, but I just do not see that. The Suns have the talent, they just need to develop and then I can see them being a contender for lower playoff seeds.