Free Agency, Squad and Schedule NBA
While waiting for the opening of the regular season on October 18, We Sport offers you an overview of the thirty franchises that will compete for the title in the NBA. Today, focus on Phoenix Suns.
The record of the Phoenix Suns last season
Unhappy finalists for the 2020/2021 season, the Phoenix Suns left with a lot of ambitions as the 2021/2022 season approached with one and only goal, the title. And the least we can say is that the Suns were going to show that the defeat a few months earlier against the Bucks was digested and the Arizona franchise was on the right track. With Chris Paul in boss mode (14.7 pts, 4.4 rbds and 10.8 ast) and Devin Booker as offensive leader (26.8 pts, 5.0 rbds and 4.8 ast), the Suns were going to fly over the regular season. Best record in the entire League with 64 wins for only 18 defeats, synonymous with home advantage for the duration of the play-offs, Phoenix was the favorite for the title. But everything was going to go wrong…
In the first round, seeded number 1, Phoenix faced the New Orleans Pelicans, 9th of the Western conference, which had just taken out the Clippers during the Play-In. A 1er affordable round that would immediately put the Suns in the hard. Even if in the end the Suns were going to win the series in 6 games, the impression left by the players of Monty Williams did not bode well for the rest of the events. The conference semi-final against Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks would prove it. Although leading 2-0, the Suns lost 4 of the next 5 games to a home elimination in Game 7 in a non-game (-33). An earthquake in the NBA for a dominant team in the regular season but which was going to collapse during the post-season, like the deterioration of the relationship between the coach of the Suns, Monty Williams, and his pivot Deandre Ayton. A really special 2021/2022 season with unrivaled domination in the regular season before the crash in the play-offs.
[64–18], 1e of the Conference West, beaten in halffinalWestern conference s by the Dallas Mavericks (3-4)
The Phoenix Suns Free Agency
The Phoenix Suns’ first priority was to extend their franchise player, Devin Booker. A successful mission for the leaders of Arizona, which saw their top scorer sign a 4-year extension for $224 million. Arrived at the heart of the 2021/2022 season, Bismack Biyombo resigned for a year with the Suns at minimum wage, a good pick for the one who brought 5.8 pts and 4.6 rbds on average during his 36 appearances. The red thread of the summer was going to be the extension or not, of Deandre Ayton in Phoenix. Waiting for an offer from his team last season, the GM of the Suns had decided to wait until the summer of 2022 to make a decision with the possibility of keeping their player by aligning himself with another offer. After mixed play-offs like his team but above all a relationship with coach Monty Williams who blamed him for his lack of investment and work, the chances of seeing him stay in Arizona were low. However, while the Indiana Pacers offered him a contract of $ 133 million over 4 years, to everyone’s surprise, the Phoenix Suns trusted the choice to align and therefore to keep their titular pivot. A strong choice from the club which shows that the confidence in their young player is there. In the radius of arrivals, the Suns record the arrivals of Damion Lee from the Warriors and Josh Okogie (one-year contract for the 2 players), as well as Jock Landale, who will play his second season in the big League. On the tricolor side, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot will participate in the Training Camp in order to win a contract for the season.
In the radius of departures, the Phoenix Suns saw their replacement pivot, JaVale McGee, take the direction of Texas. A real loss for Monty Williams and the whole group. Aaron Holiday will make the trip to Atlanta to try to get more playing time. The situation also remains unclear with Jae Crowder, with the wish for the player to leave, and who should not be present during the training camp. Case to follow!
On the side of the 2022 draft, the Suns did not have a pick.
Arrivals: Josh Okogie (Wolves), Damion Lee (Warriors), Jock Landale (Spurs)
Departures: Javalee McGee (Mavericks) , Aaron holiday (Hawks)
Extensions: Devin Booker, Bismack Biyombo, Deandre Ayton
The 2022/2023 Phoenix Suns squad
Leaders: Chris Paul, Cameron Payne, Duane Washington Jr.
Rears: Devin Booker, Damion Lee
Wingers: Mikal Bridges, Torrey Craig, Cameron Johnson, Josh Okogie, Landry Shamet
Power forwards: Jae Crowder, Dario Saric,
Pivots: Deandre Ayton, Bismack Biyombo, Jock Landale,
Coach: Monty Williams
[TW = two-way contract]
NB: During the off-season, each franchise is authorized to have up to twenty players in its workforce. When the regular season begins, said numbers will have to be reduced to fifteen players, to which two two-way contracts may be added.
Phoenix Suns: Ambitions and standings
NBA finalist in 2021, best record in the NBA in 2022, the Phoenix Suns will again aim for the title for the 2022/2023 season. With a stable workforce for 2 seasons, players who are progressing like Mikal Bridges, Deandre Ayton and Cameron Johnson, the Suns have the same assets that made them finalists 2 seasons ago and the best team of the last regular season. It will now be necessary to be stronger in the heads, and this is where Phoenix has the greatest room for improvement. Defeated in the final in 2021 when they were leading 2-0 with home advantage, then dominating the regular season in 2022 before breaking down mentally during the play-offs, the Suns know in which sector their level must evolve. The problem is that we will have to wait until next April to see if there is progress…
Player to watch: Cameron Johnson
On the podium for the best sixth man of the 2021/2022 season, Cameron Johnson will start this season with the Phoenix Suns. Author of 12.5 pts, 4.1 rbds and 1.5 ast off the bench. The 11the pick of the 2019 draft will be incorporated into the starting five in place of Joe Crowder, at position 4. Usually playing on a wing position, Cameron Johnson will bring spacing and will be mainly used as a facilitator. Able to make others play, and to make extra passes, his contribution to the field should make the offensive game of the Phoenix Suns more fluid.
The schedule of the Phoenix Suns in 2022/2023
- 19/12 : Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns
- 26/01 : Dallas Mavericks @ Phoenix Suns
