The Phoenix Suns had a phenomenal 2020-2021 season.
It featured a deep playoff run including their first Finals appearance since 1993.
Although they ultimately fell short of their goals, there is a lot they can build off of.
They are still a very young team with a superstar duo of the future in Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.
However, they also had a few lucky breaks in the playoffs in the form of opposing players being injured.
This is something they can not bank on happening once again next season.
As a result of this, they must retool their roster so they can compete for a championship next season.
3. Re-Sign Chris Paul
Chris Paul was a huge part of the Suns’ success last season.
He is one of the best leaders in the entire NBA and raises the floor of any team he is a part of.
Paul currently has to make the decision of opting in to a $44 million player option that would keep him on the Suns next season or declining the option and becoming an unrestricted free agent.
With the clock ticking on Paul’s career, rumors have started to swirl saying that he could opt out of the player option and join a contending team like the Los Angeles Lakers for an easier path to a ring.
“According to sources, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers have been on the hunt for veteran point guard, and [Chris] Paul is on the list.”
– via @MarcJSpears pic.twitter.com/3kG7Rgnu6S
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 21, 2021
This would be extremely detrimental to the Suns.
Paul is one of the best creators and playmakers that the game has ever seen.
Without him on the roster, it is likely that both Booker and Ayton will take a step back next season.
2. Extend Deandre Ayton
Ayton was another huge reason that the Suns had the success they did.
He took a huge step up this season and it is now safe to say he is an All-Star caliber player.
A key example of this was his enormous Game 1 in his NBA Finals debut.
DeAndre Ayton tonight:
22 points
19 rebounds
80% FGWhat a Finals debut 🔥 pic.twitter.com/31Q1hegGk6
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) July 7, 2021
Ayton is arguably the biggest beneficiary of Paul being on the roster.
Paul is a wizard in the pick-and-roll and the big men on his team always thrive when playing alongside him.
Even without Paul on the roster, Ayton is still easily a top five center in the league.
He is the perfect complementary player to put alongside Booker for years to come.
Ayton has become a monster on the offensive and defensive boards, an elite interior defender, and an efficient scorer around the rim.
Whether Paul stays or not, it is essential for the Suns’ long-term future that Ayton remains a member of the team.
1. Blockbuster Trade
A blockbuster trade could be enough to take the Suns from being seen as a fluke Finals runner-up to a championship contender for years to come.
While the team has not thrown their hat into the ring for too many of the big names on the market so far, that does not mean they will not make a deal before the deadline.
First, they must get Paul to resign with the team. If he does not, the team should continue to keep their roster young and accumulate assets.
However, if Paul remains on the Suns, James Jones should be working the phones trying to add another big name player to the roster.
One player the Suns may add is Domantas Sabonis.
A mock trade sends Cameron Johnson, Jalen Smith, and multiple first-round picks in return for the All-Star forward.
If they can pull a trade like this off, the Suns would arguably turn into the powerhouse of the Western Conference and would easily be able to contend not only in 2022 but for years to come.
NEXT: Why Chris Paul Should Choose To Stay With Suns