The Phoenix Suns were one of the worst teams in the NBA last season after being unable to play consistent basketball, but after taking Alex Len with the fifth overall pick in the draft and snagging Kentucky star Archie Goodwin later on, the franchise may have some hope for the future and that has been on display at the summer league this offseason.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Goodwin looked excellent over the weekend for the Suns in the Las Vegas Summer League tournament, helping Phoenix move to the semifinals after defeating the Raptors. While the summer league isn't always the best precursor to success during the season, it is a great way for young players to get acclimated to playing against NBA or near-NBA level talent and one that has stood out so far is Goodwin, who is still just 18-years-old after playing for the Wildcats.
Goodwin has played well throughout the summer league and on Saturday he did it once again, scoring 20 points in 28 minutes and he showed some aggressiveness and solid instincts on the court throughout the game. He made two three-pointers and also got to the free throw line 10 times and if he can keep up that aggressive style of play, he will challenge for minutes as a rookie for new head coach Jeff Hornacek. Goodwin was accurate from the field and made all five of his shot attempts as the Suns defeated the Raptors to advance in the summer tournament and he also showed flashes of his athleticism on defense. Goodwin blocked a shot on defense after making a clutch three at the end of the game and he looked comfortable on the court, something the Suns hope he can carry over into the regular season.
The Suns are hoping that Goodwin and Len can be a foundation to build around for the future with other players like Kendall Marshall as well as Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler, who came over in the three-team trade that sent JJ Redick to the Clippers. The franchise has said that they hope to build around Bledsoe as well and the Suns feel that they received a great talent in the former Clippers star, as he was explicitly held back in trade talks with the Celtics for Doc Rivers earlier in the offseason.
Last season the team won just 25 games and have been one of the worst teams in the league after trading Steve Nash away to the Los Angeles Lakers and now the front office is hoping to keep their young core intact for the next few years as they develop. The team made a head coaching change this year with Hornacek and the team also has high hopes for rookie draft pick Alex Oriakhi after taking him from Missouri. The team is hoping that Butler can be a solid veteran presence and a consistent scorer for a team that lacked a consistent offense last season.
