The 2021-22 season was supposed to be a dream season for the Phoenix Suns.
Coming off a loss in the NBA Finals the previous year, they ran out to a 19-3 record behind an 18-game winning streak, and even after Chris Paul suffered an injury that forced him to miss a few weeks late in the schedule, they maintained their momentum.
With a league-best 64-18 record, Phoenix was considered by many to be the favorites to win their first world championship – until they collapsed in the Western Conference semifinals versus the Dallas Mavericks, a team with considerably less talent.
Now, the Suns are reeling after nearly losing center Deandre Ayton in free agency and the Robert Sarver saga, yet they’re still considered a legitimate title contender.
However, if they don’t win it all this season, it could be the last chance they get.
One of Phoenix’s Key Role Players Will Be A Free Agent Next Summer
Cameron Johnson, a 6-foot-8 forward, has emerged as one of the Suns’ more important contributors off the bench, as he averaged 12.5 points a game last season, which was the fifth-highest on the team.
His ability to defend and hit 3-pointers (he shot 42.5 percent from downtown last year) helps make them the deep team they are.
Johnson’s contract expires at the end of this season, and if the Suns don’t give him an extension before next July, there will surely be many suitors for him.
At age 26, he likely still has room for improvement, and there is always the chance he will want a bigger role on another team, not to mention more than the $5.9 million he will make this season.
Jae Crowder Is In Limbo
Another key contributor for Phoenix the last couple of years has been forward Jae Crowder.
But he apparently wants out, and he will not play during the exhibition season as the team tries to move him.
He is a veteran who can defend, get physical and (on occasion) hit from downtown, and not surprisingly, several teams seem to be interested in him.
“Jae Crowder’s agent has been given permission to seek a trade for Crowder, and we hear there has been contact with the Heat.”
– @flasportsbuzz pic.twitter.com/dqZU8ZXvSl
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) September 29, 2022
The Cleveland Cavaliers are expected to show interest in Jae Crowder, per The Athletic
The Celtics, Grizzlies, Heat and Mavericks could also show interest pic.twitter.com/WLvsEK7HGT
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) September 28, 2022
Rob Pelinka sitting next to Suns GM. Possible Jae Crowder Trade? Lol pic.twitter.com/F3Op1Af8uK
— LA Sports Live (@LASportsLive1) October 6, 2022
Losing Crowder won’t be a death knell for Phoenix, but it will be a blow, as it will lose someone who can effectively guard stars such as Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Jayson Tatum.
Chris Paul Is Getting Up There In Age
Paul is 37, and although he is at a very advanced age by NBA standards, he takes very good care of his body.
However, he started showing definite signs of age last spring when it mattered most, even after leading the league in assists in the regular season with a 10.8 per game average.
When he turned 37 on May 6, the Suns had a 2-0 series lead over Dallas, and it looked like they were on their way to an easy victory.
But Paul only put up 9.4 points in 32.3 minutes per game over the next five contests while only attempting 7.2 shots a game, which was down from 11.3 in the regular season.
In Game 7, he was practically invisible, scoring just 10 points and dishing out only four assists in the Suns’ 33-point loss at home.
Sooner or later, he will decline significantly, and it’s anyone’s best guess when that will happen.
NEXT: The Suns Have A Massive Price Tag