Suns 2018-19 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions
As the Phoenix Suns prepare to usher in a new era, they got their first look of what's in store when the 2018-19 schedule was released on Friday.
It was a big offseason for the franchise as it was able to lock up rising star Devin Booker and draft a potential star by taking Deandre Ayton with the No. 1 overall pick. As a result, Phoenix is in a position to rebound from a season in which it posted the worst record (21-61) in the league.
Not only that, but the team has hired head coach Igor Kokoskov to lead it into the future.
2018-19 Details
Season Opener: Oct. 17 vs. Dallas
Championship Odds: 500-1 (via Odds Shark)
Full Schedule: NBA.com
Top Matchups
Sacramento Kings: Dec. 4 (home), Jan. 8 (home), Feb. 10 (away), March 23 (away)
When the Suns and the Sacramento Kings meet on the court in 2018-19, it likely won't have major playoff implications. It will, however, have the attention of the basketball world.
It's all because the top two picks in this past year's draft will be going head-to-head.
Phoenix's draft board featured little drama, as it was clear Ayton was the choice early on. That doesn't mean Marvin Bagley III can't wind up making the Suns regret their selection, though.
The two big men faced off in the NBA Summer League, with the Suns getting the victory. Summer League results have little meaning, but it did give the two rookies a chance battle on the court for the first time as pros. And it proved to be an entertaining matchup.
The 7'1", 250-pound Ayton went off for 21 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 8-of-11 from the floor. On the other side, Bagley filled out the stat sheet with 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal.
Now, the stakes are about to be raised.
Toronto Raptors: Nov. 2 (home), Jan. 17 (away)
The Toronto Raptors enter the season as one of the favorites to come out of the East, and the Suns...are rebuilding. In other words, Toronto fans may not have this game circled on their calendars the way Phoenix fans might.
Kawhi Leonard forced his way out of San Antonio and the Suns were reportedly one of the teams interested in acquiring the two-time All-Star this summer. Ultimately, he wound up being traded north of the border, as Phoenix was not willing to mortgage its future on a potential rental player.
However, it's possible the Suns will make a push at Leonard in free agency next offseason.
All signs point to Leonard going home to L.A. when he hits the open market. Then again, the same could be said about Paul George, who wound up passing up the Lakers to re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer. They are different situations, but anything can happen during free agency.
Getting back to winning and showing the rest of the league that its young core is legit is the key for Phoenix to attract marquee free agents. That's why the Suns' battles against the Raptors will be key if they are to stand any chance of attracting Leonard to the desert, as it will give him a firsthand view of what the squad looks like.
Record Prediction
Phoenix had a tough time winning games last season for a variety of reasons, with firing its coach near the beginning of the season, the Eric Bledsoe trade and Booker's injuries among the biggest impediments.
Now, the Suns hope a new era of basketball brings better results.
Booker should be healthy to start the season, and with Ayton and Trevor Ariza now in the desert, the team should be much more competitive than it was a season ago. Also, Ayton believes he and Booker can become Shaq and Kobe 2.0. If that turns out to be the case, the future is bright in Phoenix.
But it's important to keep the expectations in check early on.
Ayton and Booker could become the NBA's next dynamic duo at some point, but given neither is older than 21, there's still some growing to do before they can dream about dominating the league. Especially given how loaded the West is after LeBron James joined the Los Angeles Lakers.
If Ayton, Booker, Ariza and last year's fourth overall pick Josh Jackson can all stay healthy, expect Phoenix to take a step forward this season. If so, it may not be long before they snap a playoff drought that stands at eight years and counting.
Prediction: 34-48
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