As teams complete their seasons, ESPN Insider's NBA team will take a look at the offseason picture and priorities for all 30 clubs. Below, Kevin Pelton offers a snapshot of the Phoenix Suns.
2014-15 record: 39-43
Pythagorean record: 39-43
Offensive rating: 102.9 (14th)
Defensive rating: 103.4 (17th)
Draft picks
Own first-round pick (13th entering lottery)
Own second-round pick (44th)
Projected cap space
Maximum: $23.8 million
Minimum: $0
Likely: $12.8 million
Who's returning
In the past year, the Suns have locked up long term three members of their future core. Guard Eric Bledsoe got a five-year, $70 million deal as a restricted free agent that looks good in the wake of the rising cap. Phoenix extended both Marcus and Markieff Morris for a combined $52 million during the next four years.
Another likely core piece is center Alex Len, who made dramatic strides during his second season. At age 21, Len started 44 games and averaged 10.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per 36 minutes. He figures to be Phoenix's starter in the middle for the foreseeable future.
The rest of the Suns' recent first-round picks saw limited playing time until late in the season. T.J. Warren is a natural scorer who flashed the ability to move without the ball, but he'll need to become a more consistent defensive presence to claim a rotation spot next season. The game seemed to slow down for Archie Goodwin in his second season. Still, he'll need to improve his efficiency after posting a poor .486 true shooting percentage.
Free agents
Rhyming teammates Brandon Knight and Brandan Wright are the most important Phoenix free agents. After giving up the L.A. Lakers' protected first-round pick (along with Miles Plumlee and Tyler Ennis) to get Knight at the deadline, the Suns likely will sign the restricted free agent to a lucrative new contract. Knight's sprained ankle prevented Phoenix from getting a good look at how he will coexist in the backcourt with Bledsoe.
Although he couldn't maintain his early season 76.2 percent shooting when playing with the Mavs, Wright was still a productive reserve for the Suns after another midseason trade. He's one of the league's premier finishers and also has the ability to block shots.
Streak shooter Gerald Green likely won't be back for a return engagement after falling out of coach Jeff Hornacek's rotation during the second half of the season.
Biggest need: 3-point shooting
Phoenix's improbable 2013-14 playoff bid was fueled in large part by shooting. The Suns ranked sixth in the NBA in 3-pointers that season and eighth in percentage. They slipped to 10th in made 3s and 21st in percentage in 2014-15, and made a league-low 29.8 percent of their 3s after dealing away Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas at the deadline. A healthy Knight will help in terms of perimeter shooting, but the Suns need to find a true marksman off the bench to replace Green in the rotation.
Biggest question: Can Phoenix have fun again?
The Suns' 2013-14 campaign was a joy in part because it was so unexpected. Phoenix was no worse most of the 2014-15 season, but the team's performance was weighed down by the anticipation of getting back to the postseason. Add the frustration of the team's three point guards, forced to try to share one basketball, plus a series of close losses, and the Suns' unhappiness was palpable even through the TV screen. Before anything else, Hornacek has to find a way to make playing basketball fun again in Phoenix. (Winning wouldn't hurt in that regard.)
Ideal offseason
An aggressive move to get Knight scares off potential suitors for the restricted free agent, and the Suns are able to re-sign him at a below-max rate. They trade down a few picks from the 13th selection and are still able to draft Georgia State shooting guard R.J. Hunter, who supplies the needed 3-point shooting off the bench. The Morris twins enjoy the best seasons of their respective careers, and Len moves a step closer to being a quality starting center. Knight and Bledsoe develop chemistry in the backcourt, and Phoenix reaches the playoffs for the first time since Steve Nash was running the point.