
Luka paid for the photoshop.
SUNS, preview nba.com
Phoenix belied its league-best record of 64-18 in 2021-22 by sputtering in the postseason, starting with a split of its first two games at home in the opening round against New Orleans, and finishing with a shocking Game 7 loss at Footprint Center to the fourth-seeded Dallas Mavericks.
BIGGEST QUESTION
Phoenix’s 2022 collapse was significant enough to make you wonder whether it has truly gotten over it. You could see the stitches fraying in the first round, before unravelling against Dallas in the semifinals. Paul won’t make excuses, but he suffered a quadriceps injury that slowed him for the most important games of that series. Can he stay healthy enough to be 100% when the stakes are highest? The club took care of Williams, Booker and Ayton this offseason, contractually. So, now the playoff collapse is the biggest hurdle to clear.
PROJECTED STARTING FIVE
Chris Paul: Paul, 37, led the NBA in assists per game (10.8) and ranked No. 2 in steals per outing (1.9), but has been slowed in the playoffs with injuries in each of the past two seasons.
Devin Booker: First-time All-NBA guard continues to improve playmaking and efficiency and should figure more prominently this season in the Kia MVP conversation.
Mikal Bridges: Finished second in voting for Kia Defensive Player of the Year, but there’s more to unlock in Bridges’ game as he comes off a career-high 14.2 points per contest in 2021-22.
Cameron Johnson: Likely the team’s PF of the future, Johnson finished third last season in voting for Kia Sixth Man of the Year.
Deandre Ayton: Finally received the big contract, but now needs to take game up another notch while improving consistency.