They were +29.5 in net rating across the 42 minutes, then an astounding +41.5 during the 24 minutes in the playoffs. This is made even more incredible by the statistics with this five on the floor. They combined for a grand total of 42 minutes in the regular season, then 24 minutes during the postseason. It’s remarkable how little the group of Paul, Booker, Bridges, Johnson and Ayton have played. Johnson proved himself a much better offensive player, shooting far greater percentages from the field and three-point range. You can now argue he’s simply a better player than Crowder, even if the defensive aspect isn’t fully rounded yet. The latter averaged slightly more minutes last season, but expect that to change as the 26-year-old Johnson grows into a larger role. Johnson, having now completed three seasons in the NBA, is primed to take a starting role off Crowder heading into next season. This included a 115.5 defensive rating, with Doncic taking advantage of issues on that end of the floor. In 180 postseason minutes, the group had a -2.2 net rating. Phoenix Suns (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) The Phoenix Suns are ready for a starting lineup change next season, with Cameron Johnson ready to take power forward responsibilities from Jae Crowder.Īs successful as the current starting lineup has been, there were signs of staleness as the playoffs rolled on. They then played the second most minutes during the playoffs, this despite having fell in the second-round to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. In 2021-22, the lineup sat second in regular season minutes, falling just behind the Denver Nuggets’ lineup of Monte Morris, Will Barton, Aaron Gordon, Jeff Green and Nikola Jokic. That had come on the back of playing 50 more minutes than any other during the regular season. The Suns have been the most dominant regular season team over this period, just falling short of the NBA title in 2021.ĭuring that postseason run, the lineup played a mammoth 127 minutes more than any other five-man combination. The Phoenix Suns’ lineup of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton has been, by far, the most used five-man group across the league.įor the most part, it’s garnered incredible success. The Phoenix Suns have possessed the steadiest starting lineup in the NBA over the last two seasons, but things could be set for a change after a disappointing exit in the 2022 playoffs. Paul looked 37 and was reportedly bothered by a quad injury to continue his string of setbacks while Booker once again dealt with hamstring issues during the season.Īyton scored a career playoff-low five in Game 7 and had a verbal spat with Williams.By Peter O'Keefe 2 weeks ago Follow Tweet The Mavs led 57-27 at the break as Luka Doncic scored 27 in the first half on 9-of-12. The fourth-seeded Mavericks won Game 7 by 33 points in Phoenix.īooker and Paul came up small in shooting a combined 0-of-11 in the first half. Phoenix then blew a 2-0 series lead to Dallas. This is also essentially the same team that needed six games to eliminate New Orleans, which had to win twice in the play-in for the eighth seed. NBA predictions update: Suns, Bulls rise Nets, Jazz fall From a critical perspective The Grizzlies and Mavs aren’t going anywhere, but the Suns were better than all of them last regular season with essentially the same group returning. The Clippers and Nuggets will be right there if they're healthy. The Warriors are favored to repeat as NBA champions. The Suns are expected to surpass that for the 2022-23 season alone as they are currently at $16.8 million, but is this team capable of winning an NBA championship to really make this unprecedented spending by the franchise worth it? Phoenix has previously paid the luxury tax four times, shelling out a total of $15.6 million. That team reached the Western Conference finals before losing to Kobe Bryant and the eventual back-to-back NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns last went over the luxury tax threshold in 2009-10. Teams can have up to 15 standard players and two 2-way players. Phoenix has 14 players under a standard contract for the upcoming season. #NUGGETS ROSTER FREE#With the NBA salary cap set at $123.655 million, the Suns have $167.1 million in player salaries with restricted free agent Deandre Ayton re-signing this week after Phoenix matched a four-year, $133-million offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers. The Phoenix Suns have already exceeded the luxury tax threshold of $150.267 million for the 2022-23 season and currently have an expected luxury tax bill of $34.8 million.
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