The reviews are in and the critics are buying what the Suns are selling.
Following an encouraging end to the 2015-16 campaign, Phoenix carried that momentum into the summer with one of the best nine offseasons in the NBA, according to ESPN.com’s Kevin Pelton.
After acquiring Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and Tyler Ulis in the draft, the Suns brought back fan-favorites Jared Dudley and Leandro Barbosa to enhance the veteran presence in the locker room.
Among the other eight teams who made the list were the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics. Not bad company for the Suns.
Here’s what ESPN had to say about Phoenix’s offseason moves:
“Drafting No. 4, the Suns faced a choice between power forwards Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss. Their solution? Draft both by trading up to take Chriss with the eighth pick. While that could complicate their development, Bender and Chriss give Phoenix two chances to fill a long-term need at power forward. The Suns also did well in free agency to bring back veteran forward Jared Dudley on a three-year, $30 million deal that allows him to bridge the gap to Bender and Chriss on the court and mentor them off it.”
The Suns also did well in free agency to bring back veteran forward Jared Dudley on a three-year, $30 million deal that allows him to bridge the gap to Bender and Chriss on the court and mentor them off it.”
