Let me start by thanking the Bright Side of the Sun writing team. Holy moly. Putting together player previews is no small task, but with a stellar team willing to break it down into well-researched, manageable sections, the result is an insightful and detailed overview of each player.
After all is said and done, with all the words written and the predictions predicted, the team pumped out player previews on all 17 members of the Phoenix Suns, including all three of their two-way players. If you have not had an opportunity to read them, or if you’d like to bookmark a page that can pull a Tyus Jones and play point guard to each player preview, this is the place to do so.
Devin Booker
Prediction made by John Voita
71 games played, 28.6 PPG, 5.3 APG, 4.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG on 51/36/90 shooting splits
Booker is going to set the Suns’ single-season record for points per game. I know he technically has it after his performance in 2022-23, where he averaged 27.8 points, but he didn’t play enough games to technically qualify (he played 53 and you need 55 to qualify). He had 27.1 points per game last season. TomChambers’ record is 27.2.
He’s going to go off in a big way for this team. I feel it in my bones. It’s Prime Devin Booker SZN.
Kevin Durant
Prediction made by Holden Sherman
66 games played, 26.5 PPG, 5.1 APG, 6.2 RPG, 1.0 BPG on 52/42/88 shooting splits
Kevin Durant has aged like fine wine. His stats are just as solid as they were half a decade ago. Whether he shows a noticeable decline or not, I expect him to have similar stats to what he’s always had: averaging over 25 a game on the efficiency we know and love about him.
Playing with a deeper, more cohesive roster than he did a year ago, everyone’s stats on the Suns’ may dip a bit this season for the betterment of the team. There’s more pressure on Phoenix than there has been in recent years. Many are calling for the team to be blown up to avoid the heavy taxes that come with the second apron and recuperate the assets they lost by trading for Durant and Beal.
Bradley Beal
Prediction made by Brandon Duenas
19.1 PPG, 4.0 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.1 SPG on 50/41/82 shooting splits
Beal has a strong season is a third option and looks more comfortable in the Valley. He will likely miss a couple of small stretches in the season with bumps and bruises as he typically does, but I am hoping for 62 games played from him at least. If he misses 20 games or so, at least they have the reinforcements to survive it with Monte Morris, Tyus Jones, Grayson Allen, and of course Devin Booker.
Charlotte Hornets v Phoenix Suns
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Tyus Jones
Prediction made by Brandon Duenas
10.1 PPG, 5.5 APG, 2.4 RPG, 47/40/85 shooting split in roughly 25 minutes per game with another stellar AST/TO ratio
Jones starts for the Suns and puts together a strong season despite “limited” minutes for a typical starter due to the guard depth Phoenix possesses. I see him playing a role somewhere in the middle of what he was in Washington (key starter) and Memphis (high-end reserve).
Jusuf Nurkic
Prediction made by Nathan Jones
12 PPG, 12 RPG, 3 APG on 55/34/67 shooting splits
I think that Nurk will start the season getting a chance to flourish in Bud’s system. Some may think he’s an obvious trade candidate, but unless something crazy happens, you’d just be downgrading at center again.
I think Tyus and Monte will set Nurk up better and that with the Big 3 playing off-ball more it will create a bit more space for him in the short roll. I think his finishing will improve, but I expect his assists to go down this year with the addition of real point guards. If he can see his 3-point go up closer to his season high, I can see him being able to stay on the floor in more versatile or jumbo lineups.
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