The home of the Phoenix Suns, Footprint Center will see a few new faces suit up on the court.
The Phoenix Suns come into the 2029-30 CSL season with a bit of a target on their backs and that was put there by the players. Many were disappointed with the lack of effort and desire shown to close the season ending 38-44 and falling to the Mavericks in the Play-In. The team looked to be lifeless at times and more content with barely skating by than actually competing. This season is hopefully the start of something new as the Phoenix front Office tries to make it work again after this being their 3rd season under new management and not really showing themselves as a worthy successor to those before. Lets look at each player on the roster, then give a prediction on the Suns.
PG Retin Obasohan
The 2nd round pick entering his sophomore season in the league averaged 7.8 PPG, 1.7 APG on 38% FG, 72% FT and 21% from beyond the arc. Not impressive by any means and doesn't show much of the team offering him more than 12 minutes per game. Expect Retin to simply fulfill depth minutes on the team.
PG Denzel Livingston
Expect much more of the same from the Point Guard position with Livingston there. The veteran guard was a mid season pickup from Houston costing the Suns Derrick White, Saddiq Bey and a 2029 1st rounder. However many would say it worked out so far for the team with Livingston being a key part of a good offense and averaging a good 11.8 PPG, 6.5 APG and 1.1 SPG on 436% FG, .869% FT and .404% from beyond the arc. The Suns expect more of the same as Livingston heads into a crucial contract year and likely his last “big” deal in the CSL.
SG Ayo Dosunmu
The 6'5, 200 Ponds Point Guard out of the University of Illinois remains the biggest talking point of the offseason for the Phoenix Suns as he is expected to fill the shoes of the departed Alex Caruso. Dosunmu looks like he can get it done on both sides of the ball with a nice scoring ability and a ability to play defense which is something the Suns needed a lot of last year. It is expected that Dosunmu will have a chance to earn a starting spot at SG for the Suns during the preseason.
SG Talen Horton-Tucker
THT is back for the Suns after agreeing to a $6.5 million deal over three years with the Suns. The Shooting Guard played 37 games for the Suns after a trade sent him from Minnesota over. He only started 5 games, but in those 5 games he showed he played above what many expected from him and many are seeing him as a serious contender to start the season at the 2 guard spot for the Suns. Averaging 9.4 PPG and 3.9 RPG on 44% from the field, 93% from the charity line and 40% from beyond the arc has strong considerations for a starting role.
SF Jayson Tatum
The leading man for the Phoenix Suns and someone that we all expect to do so much more than he has done so far for the team. It has been a drawback and disappointment by his own standards for what many see as one of the elite players in the CSL. Last season was a disgrace and many fans let Tatum have it as they saw the effort by the star player that of someone who wasn't being paid as he is. 21.1 PPG and 5.4 RPG on .41% from the field, 83% from the free throw line and 33% beyond the arc will not cut it for the Suns and team needs a lot more from their star player if they hope to contend.
SF Vladmir Brodziansky
Expect more of the same from Vladmir as the career backup to Tatum. Has shown flashes of talent, but hasn't truly put it all together like many within management would have expected of him.
PF Henry Ellenson
One of the stars of last season; expect Ellenson to do even more with him getting more scoring opportunities with no Caruso around. The suns expect Ellenson to build on the 12.2 PPG and 6.5 RPG on 43% from the field, 74% from the free throw line and 45% from the three point line. The big man is expected to keep the momentum going for the 29-30 season. Hopefully not seeing him back from that efficiency he showed.
PF Draymond Green
The veteran, Green has seen a diminished role in Phoenix since the arrival of new management and the trade for Henry Ellenson. 4.3 PPG, 5 APG and 5.4 RPG in 21.4 Minutes per game. Green is more needed for his role as a facilitator and defender, but his on court discipline has seen that role be pushed back and taken down a notch in terms of his use and rumors persist he will be traded.
PF Giorgi Bezhanishvili
Taken as a pure vanity pick in the 2nd round; Giorgi has seen almost zero playing time for the team and is seen as a simple G-League player now.
PF Isaiah Roby
A excellent defender who saw small amounts of playing time last year; he is being touted for a minutes upgrade in a crowded Phoenix frontcourt.
PF PJ Washington
A new addition to the Suns team, but Washington is seen as a piece that can be useful for the future. He averaged 4.4 PPG and 2.0 RPG in only 9 minutes a game for the Denver Nuggets. Phoenix will look to use Washington in a more prominent role with rumors insisting he could be the new starter at Power Forward for this Suns team.
C Dedric Lawson
The big man with the improved contract averaged 14.5 PPG and 10.4 RPG last season for the Suns which is great news for the team. Expect Lawson to play a big role on this team again as their starting Center.
C Adrian Bogucki
The 2nd round big man out of Poland was picked for his defense and looks to fill a role as a backup to be used in specialty defensive assignments.
The media has the Phoenix Suns finishing 6th. We would see that as a slight overestimation of the team as it is right now. We could see the Suns however in that 8-10 spot at West. Tons of talent on the roster, but still more questions than answers are present right now as we can see. Team is still looking for that person next to Tatum.
2028
