Toronto Raptors: Anyone to worry about besides Golden State in Pacific?

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 15: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Utah Jazz on March 15, 2018 at vivint.SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /

PHOENIX SUNS

Last season actual: 21 – 61

This season forecast: 28 – 54

Welcome: Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Elie Okobo, Trevor Ariza and Richaun Holmes

Farewell: Elfrid Payton, Jared Dudley, and Alex Len

The Suns got noticeably better this offseason especially with the #1 pick Deandre Ayton.

Adding Trevor Ariza from the Rockets on a 1-year $15m contract was a smart move too, Ariza is a superb role player and instantly upgrades a defense that ranked dead last in defensive rating.

Acquiring Mikal Bridges on draft night was a big bonus for the Suns. He’s a prototypical 3-and-D player, a must for every NBA team who is in the know.

Stocking up on defensive pieces was a must for the Suns, especially if they feel they want to be competitive this season.

Questions still remain at point guard. The departure of Elfrid Payton in the offseason left a hole at the starting position, maybe Devin Booker takes a step up in ball-handling responsibilities and plays at the point. Or maybe Elie Okobo surprises everyone and works his way into the starting team.

The comparisons between Shaq and Kobe and Booker and Ayton will be rife this season but Ayton needs to prove his worth on defense before he can be in the same breath as O’Neal.

Regardless, the Suns will be a fun team to watch this year as their crop of young stars begins to take shape.