Suns are 24th in ESPN’s future power rankings
Oct 4, 2016, 11:03 AM | Updated: 2:12 pm
From left to right, Phoenix Suns second-round draft pick Tyler Ulis and first-round draft picks Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss are introduced to the media as head coach Earl Watson smiles, Friday, June 24, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
The Phoenix Suns are looking toward the future, but according to ESPN’s future power rankings, success may take a while to arrive.
The list aims to project teams’ success over the next three years and is on a scale from 0-100 (100 being the best), with that number being decided by five categories. Each category is weighted and makes up the total rank: players (50 percent), money (16.7), management (16.7), market (8.3) and draft (8.3).
The Suns are still early in the process of rebuilding their talent base, but this summer provided encouraging signs Phoenix is finally committed to that process.
Despite being ranked lowly on the overall list, the Suns were given their highest mark in draft rating, which was third behind only the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics.
After taking Dragan Bender No. 4 overall in the draft, the Suns added another top prospect when they traded up to take Marquese Chriss with the No. 8 pick. Though the two lottery picks are both naturally power forwards, they should eventually be able to play together. Phoenix also got good value in the second round with point guard Tyler Ulis.
On top of having a successful draft, the Suns also added to the roster in free agency. No huge splashes were made, but they grabbed two former Suns to add experience and leadership to the locker room.
A restrained free agency saw the Suns nab Jared Dudley as a veteran mentor who can keep the power forward position warm for Bender and Chriss as well as bringing back Leandro Barbosa. Next up for Phoenix is figuring out whether Brandon Knight can complement Eric Bledsoe and promising second-year guard Devin Booker or whether Knight is expendable in a trade.
In the last version of the same rankings, the Suns were 27th overall.
