How’d We Get Here?

The Suns had an incredible regular season as they finished with a league-leading 64-18 record behind All-Star seasons from Devin Booker and Chris Paul. Unfortunately, the postseason didn’t go according to plan as they were embarrassed at home in a Game 7 loss vs. the Mavs in the second round of the postseason, a game in which they mustered just 27 points in the first half. It’s safe to say that they will be on a revenge tour in 2022-23 as they look to put the 2021-22 postseason in the rear view.

In terms of the offseason, the Suns biggest storylines were Kevin Durant’s interest in heading to Phoenix as well as the RFA saga that went on with Deandre Ayton. Durant is back with the Nets after a couple months of drama that gave the media plenty of content, while Ayton’s offer sheet from the Pacers was matched within minutes. This team is looking quite similar to what we saw in 2021-22 with the notable exception of Jae Crowder, who has been away from the team as he was displeased that they have decided to go with Cam Johnson instead of him in the starting unit. In addition to Crowder, the most notable losses were JaVale McGee and Frank Kaminsky in the frontcourt while Jock Landale, Damion Lee and Josh Okogie are in the conversation for the biggest additions. Dario Šarić also fits into the conversation since he’s set to return from a torn ACL. The Suns are poised to have a very similar roster to the one that lost in the NBA Finals to the Bucks back in 2021, except with Johnson as the starting PF instead of Crowder. Whether it will be enough to get over the mountain top is the biggest question that remains for a franchise that has come out empty-handed in each of their three Finals appearances.

Offseason Moves

Arrivals: Damion Lee, Jock Landale, Josh Okogie, Duane Washington Jr. (2W)
Rookie Arrivals: N/A
Departures: JaVale McGee, Frank Kaminsky, Aaron Holiday, Gabriel Lungberg, Jae Crowder (away from team)
Retained: Deandre Ayton, Bismack Biyombo, Ish Wainright (2W)

Depth Chart and Minutes Per Game

PG: Chris Paul (30-32) / Cameron Payne (21-24) / Duane Washington Jr. (0, 5-12)

SG: Devin Booker (34-34.5) / Landry Shamet (18-24) / Damion Lee (0, 10-14)

SF: Mikal Bridges (34.5-35) / Torrey Craig (0, 10-16)

PF: Cameron Johnson (28-32) / Dario Šarić (16-20) / Jae Crowder

C: Deandre Ayton (30-32) / Bismack Biyombo (10-16) / Ish Wainright (0, 10-15) / Jock Landale (0, 8-14)

Position Battles

Point Guard: Chris Paul is going to be running the show once again for the Suns and we know what to expect from the veteran at this stage of his career, although it would seem wise for the Suns to manage his workload throughout the year in order to keep him fresh for the postseason. Cameron Payne appears to be poised to operate as the primary backup PG whenever CP3 is out of the lineup, although Devin Booker will also be given a lot more ball-handling responsibility. After that it could be down to the team’s SG types to carry the load.

Shooting Guard: All of the incumbent starters have been retained and that means that the majority of the SG minutes will continue to go to All-Star Devin Booker as he continues to grow his game. Behind Booker is where the questions start. Landry Shamet and Damion Lee will have their share of opportunities backing up Booker, but we are talking about roughly 14-15 backup SG minutes while Paul is healthy.

Small Forward: Mikal Bridges will continue to hold it down as the team’s starting SF and he is a pretty safe bet to play a team-high in mpg again next season. On that note, there will be limited minutes available behind the defensive-minded forward with Cameron Johnson the primary backup who the Suns will also likely use at the other forward spot in order to allow more opportunity for the sharpshooter. Torrey Craig is also in the mix but the veteran is far behind both of these promising youngsters in the rotation.

Power Forward: This remains the weakest starting position for the Suns. They are, however, making changes this season with Cam Johnson now expected to start as the team explores trade opportunities for Jae Crowder, who is away from the team as a result of this demotion. Dario Šarić will be in the mix for minutes off the bench but it’s more likely that the Suns play a bit smaller at times in order to give more minutes to their talented wing depth.

Center: Losing JaVale McGee is probably the biggest offseason loss for the Suns since he operated as an excellent replacement big behind Deandre Ayton. However, the Suns did retain Bismack Biyombo and he’ll be competing for backup minutes with Ish Wainright, Jock Landale and Saric. Remember that Saric was actually playing backup C during the team’s run to the Finals before missing last year rehabbing his ACL. We have seen Ayton’s mpg decrease in each of the last two seasons and it’ll be interesting to see if that stops this season with a slightly inferior depth chart behind him.

Outlook

Deandre Ayton, C

Per-Game Value: 49 / 45 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 78 / 63 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 58

2021-22 Review: Coming into 2021-22 there was pressure on Ayton's shoulders having failed to secure a max contract extension with the Suns. And so he focused on the game and played. He didn't play like a max player though, with his career-best 63.4 FG% being his most notable area of improvement. While his scoring returned closer to its 2019-20 levels, Ayton saw a decline in his minutes, rebounds and blocks numbers. At the end of the day, he seemed like an odd man out given the rest of the Suns' roster composition -- guards, 3-and-D wings and everyone being able to at least be a threat from deep, something Ayton isn't. He still managed to shine in spots, especially against teams with weaker centers, something he's able to abuse in an opportunistic manner, but it appeared that that was the extent of the upside he was able to bring to the table and as a result, Ayton's overall fantasy value mirrored the overall decline in his production. He's made strides as an on-court presence (especially on defense) but tension between the player, his coach and the organization overall seemed to be bubbling just below the surface for most of the season.

This Year: Not wanting to give him a max contract extension, the Suns signed Ayton to a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent. He signed a big offer from the Pacers, which the Suns quickly matched, locking him in for four years. That out of the way, the Suns are poised to run it back this coming season, so there should be hardly any changes as far as Ayton's role is concerned. While we could end up seeing more of the same from last season's production, Ayton is still young and learning more with each passing season under his belt, so small gains here and there should not surprise anyone, though a huge overall leap should be considered highly unlikely, if not out of the question altogether. That said, Ayton is now a max player and can't be traded for a bit, so we'd expect the team to put forth a real effort to mend the relationship and keep the big man happy. That might mean more work on offense, especially with Chris Paul another year older.

Injury History: Ayton suffered a leg contusion in early November, causing him to miss eight games. He missed two games with an illness and then six games due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. A sprained right ankle bothered him in the second half of the season, making him sit for eight games. He also was rested for load management purposes a few times during the season. In 2020-21, Ayton missed the last three games of the regular season with left knee soreness, which was his only absence of the year. In 2019-20 he served a 25-game PED suspension, and returned for one game before hitting the sidelines for five games with a right ankle sprain. Ayton would go on to miss two games with left ankle soreness and the final three of the original schedule with a left ankle sprain, though the timing of the pandemic may have prevented him from further absences. As a rookie, he missed 11 games (a six-gamer and a five-gamer) with a pair of left ankle sprains.

Outlook: Ayton has fallen out of early-round consideration after his slide last season and is now more of an early-middle round target than anything. He remains a strong anchor for FG% given his volume and shooting accuracy from two-point range, but his lack of 3s and lower than ideal number of assists and blocks per game give him a tough glass ceiling to break through. He is, for what it's worth, pretty stable as he provides a reliable floor for fantasy purposes. A bounce-back in Ayton's block rate could push him back into the top-35 but in general, all he needs to do is stay healthy to be worth a pick in round four.

Bismack Biyombo, C

Per-Game Value: 377 / 384 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 366 / 364 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 35

2021-22 Review: Bizness wasn't necessarily booming, but it was back at least. It's a wonder that Biyombo sat on the couch for so long during the league's numerous COVID outbreaks -- teams want athletic guys who can protect the rim and defend, but were handing out 10-day contracts to nobodies while Biyombo was free and available. Everyone else's loss was the Suns' gain, as Biyombo turned a 10-day deal into a real contract. He had some big games while Deandre Ayton and JaVale McGee were out and gave the Suns a different dynamic when he was on the floor thanks to his strength and energy.

This Year: Biyombo re-signed with the Suns as a free agent and should be the primary backup center with McGee off to Dallas. Jock Landale will be in the running as well but it's Biyombo's gig to lose.

Injury History: Biyombo dealt with persistent left knee problems and underwent arthroscopic surgery in May of the 2018-19 season, but he's stayed out of trouble since then.

Outlook: Biyombo is a deep-league option for the usual: rebounds, blocks and a high field goal percentage. An Ayton injury really clears the runway for him but even as a backup, Biz can plod his way towards the top-300.

Devin Booker, SG

Per-Game Value: 22 / 20 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 17 / 17 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 68

2021-22 Review: Booker got past the initial awkwardness of sharing the backcourt with Chris Paul in their second season together. Not only did he find a seamless way to coexist, he managed to thrive -- with Booker being the bigger beneficiary of their partnership. He saw improvement across multiple categories, namely points, 3-pointers made, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. His FG% took a slight hit, but it was negligible given the broader perspective of his next level of play. He even surpassed Paul and ended the season as the Suns' best player in fantasy basketball. He also notably showed some of his improved passing ability as he took the reins from CP3 when the Point God went down for multiple weeks due to a right thumb avulsion fracture.

This Year: Booker is the Suns' number one scoring option and that's not about to change this season. If anything, he's going to be able to flash other skills beyond putting the rock in the hole. His improved 3-point shooting last season should still have room for more improvement as floor-spacing is so heavily valued in the modern NBA game.

Injury History: Booker missed eight games with a left hamstring injury in November but proved to be relatively healthy after that, missing three more games due to a stint in league health and safety protocols. He also missed a game due to load management. In 2020-21, Booker missed four games with a left hamstring strain at the end of January but didn't hit the injury report again until he got a night off in the season finale. He did sit out the All-Star game with a left knee sprain but missed no action thereafter. It was similar to the 2019-20 season, where he missed just three games with a right forearm contusion and associated wrist soreness. In 2018-19 Booker missed the last three games of the season because of a left ankle sprain, also sitting out two games with right hamstring tightness, three with back spasms, a seven-in-eight stretch with a left hamstring issue in early December and three more in November with another left hamstring problem. Prior to that campaign, Booker underwent right hand surgery in September but returned in time for opening night. Going back further, in 2017-18 Booker missed a game in November with right big toe inflammation, eight December games with a strained left adductor, one in January with a right rib contusion, four February games with a left hip pointer, one game in March with a triceps issue and the final 12 games of the year with a right hand sprain/contusion. There were some minor ankle issues in his first two seasons as well but nothing significant.

Outlook: As an impressive scorer with an ever-widening shot range, Booker will be able rock top-25 value this season. He appears to hold a safe top-40 floor right now and can sport a top-15 upside as he climbs higher towards his still untapped ceiling.

Mikal Bridges, SF

Per-Game Value: 83 / 55 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 33 / 24 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 81

2021-22 Review: While Bridges' numbers never really jump off the page, he just does almost everything right, so much so that he's managed to come in second in voting for the Defensive Player of the Year. He's one of the best 3-and-D players in the league, a quintessential role player who is able to do so much that contributes to getting wins. He's steadily become more productive in the scoring department over the last few seasons and as a result his stock has been rising. At the end of the day, Bridges' greatest claim to fame in the fantasy basketball world is that he doesn't miss any games, making him a rock-solid choice for GMs who are risk-averse. A career-low in blocks and a dip in 3-point efficiency knocked him down the rankings a bit last season, but he was still solidly in the middle rounds.

This Year: There will be no changes in Bridges' role this coming season. As the Suns' best defender, he will be tasked to guard the opposing team's best player. His low turnover rate should remain intact since he's more of a catch-and-shoot threat on the offensive side of the ball. But if he does take another expected step forward on offense, Bridges can soon be considered a two-way player and not just a defensive maven.

Injury History: Bridges suffered a dislocated right pinkie in 2021-22 but it did not cause him to miss any games. Bridges remains a class act, having not missed a game in his entire NBA career, which in itself is something really special.

Outlook: You really can't go wrong taking Bridges once the middle rounds of most drafts get going, but then again, thanks to his understated stat set, he can often be had much later than that. At this point though, the rest of the managers are catching up as more and more people have come to appreciate his special contributions to the fantasy game. He's viable in the fourth round of 9-cat leagues if you think that the blocks and threes are going to get back on track.

Torrey Craig, SF

Per-Game Value: 279 / 271 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 186 / 179 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 77

2021-22 Review: Craig parlayed a nice run with the Suns into a two-year deal with the Pacers, only to find himself traded back to Phoenix at the deadline. He was able to give both teams some bench minutes as a defensive-minded forward, with deep-league GMs finding some plodding value in Craig as a source of rebounds and a slow trickle of defensive stats.

This Year: The Suns brought the band back together so Craig should be looking at minutes in the high teens, with Jae Crowder's departure potentially giving him a chance at getting into the low 20s.

Injury History: Craig missed a couple playoff games with a right elbow contusion and spent a few days in the health and safety protocols during the regular season. In 2020-21 Craig missed a couple weeks with a fractured nose and suffered a right knee contusion in the playoffs. Prior to that his last injuries of note were a nose injury in the 2019-20 preseason and a minor left shoulder problem late in the 2018-19 campaign.

Outlook: Craig offers extremely low upside so even if he can work his way into the top-250, he's not necessarily a recommended fantasy pick. Still, if you go risky with your early picks and need some dependable rebounds, steals and blocks at the end of a 20-team draft, Craig is on the board.

Jae Crowder, PF, Phoenix Suns

Per-Game Value: 110 / 87 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 102 / 82 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 67

2021-22 Review: Crowder was the Suns' starting power forward, giving the team some extra toughness to go with his proven 3-and-D output. He managed to post his best fantasy season since the days when he was making a name for himself with the Celtics, thanks in large part to a resurgent 1.4 steals per game, up from 0.8 the prior season. Crowder's efficiency was poor and his 3-pointers dipped notably, but on the back of those triples, steals and rebounds, Crowder ended up grading out as a reasonable bench option for standard-league managers, with a heavy 9-cat lean. He was heading for a boring top-120 season until the home stretch, as Crowder turned it up to deliver 2.3 triples and 1.8 steals per game after the All-Star break, influencing his final marks significantly.

This Year: Crowder was lined up to start at PF again in the desert, but discontentment between player and organization means that he's almost surely going to be traded. He's a starting-caliber player but on a $10 million expiring contract, it's not unreasonable to think that he could end up as a complementary depth piece for a contending team that can squeeze him into their cap structure. Just know that historically, Crowder tends to pout when he isn't starting and playing a ton.

Injury History: Crowder missed a couple games with groin soreness, four with a left wrist contusion and six in the health and safety protocols, plus a few for rest reasons at the end of the year. In 2020-21 he missed three games with right foot soreness, eight with a right ankle sprain and one for rest on the last day of the campaign. In 2019-20 he missed two non-consecutive games with left ankle soreness, one with a concussion, two with right knee soreness and one with right hip soreness. Crowder missed one game with a right thigh contusion and one with a sprained thumb in 2018-19. Previously, he dealt with groin, ankle and elbow problems in 2016-17 and sprained his MCL in 2015-16

Outlook: Crowder's threes and steals look to be a bit out of line with career norms, so we'd expect him to step back a bit. It also depends on where he ends up playing this year and what role his team envisions for him. For now, consider Crowder off limits until we get some resolution, but you can preemptively pencil him in for a late-round year that makes him draftable at the end of 12-teamers -- though you'd have to pass up higher-upside options to do so.

Cameron Johnson, PF

Per-Game Value: 124 / 95 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 121 / 98 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 65

2021-22 Review: Johnson made a solid leap forward last season, seeing improvements across the board. The depth that he provided the Suns as a potent 3-and-D threat at the four position was an important part of their success. Thanks to averages of 2.5 3s and 12.5 points per game on 46.0% shooting from the field, Johnson finished the season as a top-100 player in 9-cat scoring. He started slowly but rounded into form, culminating in a huge run that saw him deliver top-70 value throughout the winter and top-50 value over the back half of February and early March before an unfortunate quad injury sidelined him for 13 games.

This Year: Johnson looks ready to take the leap and start at power forward, giving the Suns a bit more consistency as an offensive presence than Jae Crowder. With a long-term extension on the board, expect Johnson to be at his best. This is a case where talent and opportunity are meeting at the right time.

Injury History: Johnson missed three games due to a sprained left ankle and missed 13 contests due to a right quad strain. Johnson missed six games while in the health and safety protocols and the final six of the 2020-21 season with a right wrist sprain. He also sat out one playoff game because of an illness. In 2019-20 Johnson missed 10 games with a right quad contusion, two with left calf soreness and one with a sore hip. He also missed the final three games of the original schedule with mono but was recovered within a few weeks. Back in college Johnson was forced to redshirt most of his freshman year at Pitt, only appearing in eight games because of a shoulder problem, but as a five-year college player that’s way back in the distance now.

Outlook: The Crowder situation will do a lot to elevate Johnson's draft stock, which is a shame for savvy GMs who were set to capitalize on his slide. He's been sorely underrated in the past and that trend should persist going forward as many GMs chase upside. A middle-round season is within reach as long as his efficiency doesn't go into the tank. Let the ADP be your guide.

Jock Landale, C

Per-Game Value: 408 / 407 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 345 / 341 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 54

2021-22 Review: A former MVP in the Australian league, Landale got his first taste of NBA action last year. Landale got an opportunity to hold real minutes when Drew Eubanks was traded but a sample size of 10.8 mpg wasn't overly revealing. A big body who isn't afraid to shoot triples, Landale wasn't given enough playing time to find the rhythm he needed to establish himself as a real stretch five.

This Year: Landale was traded from the Spurs to the Hawks, who then dealt him to Phoenix for cash considerations. He'll likely slot in as the team's third center though his offensive skills might make him the preferred option over Bismack Biyombo in certain matchups.

Injury History: Landale dealt with a couple of concussions last season, missed one game with back soreness and a couple with a left foot sprain. He also spent 12 days in the health and safety protocols.

Outlook: Landale is only on draft boards in 30-team leagues.

Damion Lee, SG

Per-Game Value: 315 / 297 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 246 / 235 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 62

2021-22 Review: Lee remained a bench option for Steve Kerr and the Warriors last year, though the return of Klay Thompson and ascension of Jordan Poole wiped out any possible upside. A dip in his 3-point shooting didn't help matters, though he was good enough to hold down a rotation spot even without the benefit of major absences in the backcourt.

This Year: Lee signed a one-year contract with the Suns, and he'll offer up some solid depth at the SG spot in case Landry Shamet falters. Frank Jackson, Duane Washington Jr. and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot are all a tier below him, so Lee's a fairly safe bet to grab one of those final bench spots in the desert.

Injury History: Lee missed four games in the health and safety protocols, two for left hip soreness and three games for personal reasons, but stayed off the injury report otherwise. In 2020-21 Lee missed one game with a sore left toe and tested positive for COVID-19 immediately thereafter, ending up on the sidelines for a month. In 2019-20 Lee missed 14 games after fracturing his left hand in November and also sat out two games after he ran out of days on his two-way contract, but that's about it as far as injuries go in his career.

Outlook: Lee only needs to hit the radar when injuries hit the Phoenix backcourt. If he can get his 3-point shooting back above league average then there's the possibility that he can grind out top-270 value, but that's not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, SG

Per-Game Value: 433 / 424 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 357 / 352 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 55

2021-22 Review: Luwawu-Cabarrot served as emergency wing depth for the Hawks, and though the team's constant health issues at the position allowed him to get into 55 games, he couldn't generate much in the box score. Despite making 18 starts, TLC saw his threes and steals drop, which is a bad sign when you need 3-and-D numbers to deliver fantasy value.

This Year: TLC signed a training camp deal with the Suns and is just going to try and get on the final roster. From there, he figures to be emergency depth once again.

Injury History: Outside of a stay in the health and safety protocols Luwawu-Cabarrot avoided injury last year. In 2020-21 he missed one game with a right hip contusion and four with right knee soreness.

Outlook: Luwawu-Cabarrot is not a fantasy option.

Josh Okogie, SG

Per-Game Value: 464 / 466 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 385 / 381 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 47

2021-22 Review: The Wolves finally abandoned hope on Okogie as a 3-and-D contributor last season, leading to career-lows in appearances and playing time. He even opened the season as the starting power forward but quickly fell off as it became apparent that the team's other options could do everything Okogie could at a higher level.

This Year: Okogie signed a one-year deal with the Suns, where the Jae Crowder situation could crack the door for him to sneak into the rotation. Even so, Okogie's a situational one-way player until he can fix his jumper, and after four years of trying it doesn't look like it'll happen.

Injury History: Okogie sat out four games with back soreness, two with a right quad contusion and also spent a week in the health and safety protocols last year. Okogie missed a game for personal reasons, five in the health and safety protocols and six with a left hamstring strain in 2020-21. The season prior, Okogie missed a pair of games because of left knee soreness. He played through a hip pointer in his rookie year and hasn’t dealt with anything else beyond minor bumps and bruises.

Outlook: Okogie can be ignored in all but the deepest of fantasy leagues.

Chris Paul, PG

Per-Game Value: 19 / 18 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 21 / 19 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 65

2021-22 Review: Paul stayed pretty solid yet again in 2021-22, leading the league with 10.8 assists per game and was a top-5 player in steals with 1.9 swipes per contest. With one full season under his belt as a Sun, CP3 showed impeccable on-court leadership as he quarterbacked Phoenix's offense with masterful precision. He missed some time with a right thumb avulsion fracture, but still managed to finish the season as a top-20 player in both per-game and totals rankings.

This Year: Nothing should really change as far as Paul and the Suns are concerned this season. Phoenix is running back the majority of its roster from the 2021-22 season, so the Point God should once again comfortably play at a high level while leading the Suns towards another playoff appearance. A heartbreaking loss to the Mavs in the playoffs last season should only serve to fuel them with more focus and determination in 2022-23. We'll see if the Suns dabble in a little load management to keep Paul upright, though the thumb fracture was more of a freak accident than something chronic that was aggravated.

Injury History: Paul missed 15 games due to a right thumb avulsion fracture midseason. He returned a little bit ahead of schedule, which was good to see. He missed one game, the season finale, for load management and another game due to health and safety protocols. Aside from the thumb injury, CP3 stayed relatively healthy, avoiding any nagging injuries. In the 2020-21 playoffs, Paul dealt with a minor shoulder injury, but had a healthy regular season, missing a game due to hamstring soreness and then also sitting out the season finale. In 2018-19, CP3 spent a 17-game stretch on the sidelines because of a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, though he missed three games earlier in the year with left hamstring soreness. He memorably missed the end of the Western Conference Finals in 2017-18 because of a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, and he also missed basically a month with a bruised left knee while sitting out a few games here and there for hamstring, groin, and hip issues. Going back further reveals more of CP3’s extensive injury history. In 2016-17, surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb cost him 14 games and a hamstring injury cost him seven. He fractured his right hand in the first round of the playoffs in 2015-16, separated his right shoulder in 2014 and had surgery to remove his meniscus in his left knee in 2010. At his age Paul has to be considered an injury risk despite his good health over the last two campaigns.

Outlook: It's been almost Sisyphean to keep fading Chris Paul every season in fantasy, with him continuing to defy the odds and staying healthy even at his advanced age. Credit should also go to the amazing Suns medical and training staff, who've managed to keep Paul relatively injury-free since joining the team. Paul should be able to keep producing at an elite level in 2022-23, being a top-5 player in both the assists and steals categories while also providing great shooting efficiency from both the field and the line. He could be held out for some load management here and there, but overall his outlook still remains generally positive. He's going to get passed over for buzzier, younger names in the second round of drafts, making CP3 a pretty reasonable value proposition at his eventual ADP.

Cameron Payne, PG

Per-Game Value: 191 / 228 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 198 / 216 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 58

2021-22 Review: Payne was coming off a big season as a key contributor for a Finals team, cementing his status as an NBA player after very nearly falling out of the league. Last season was looking ugly as Payne wasn't quite as effective and battled some injury troubles, but good timing saved his bacon. Payne returned from a wrist injury right as Chris Paul exited the lineup, and he delivered must-roster numbers over the last 18 games of the season with 11.6 points, 1.4 triples, 3.6 boards, 7.7 dimes and 0.9 steals per contest. He ended up being a deep-league asset even if the road was a rocky one.

This Year: Payne will slot in as Chris Paul's backup once again, and with the Suns making minimal roster changes you know what you're getting here. Perhaps the team decides to dial back on CP3's minutes during the regular season, but that's the only wrinkle on the board, and not something that will substantially change Payne's prospects.

Injury History: Payne's biggest absence last year was 15 games with a right wrist sprain, though he also missed five games with a right hamstring strain, one for illness and two thanks to right knee soreness. In 2020-21 Payne sat out one game with a left knee contusion, two with a right ankle sprain and nine games with a right foot sprain. Payne has multiple foot fractures in his past and was shut down in 2016-17 because of right foot soreness, though it was hard for him to get hurt last season given how little he played. There’s also some minor calf issues on file from 2018-19 but the foot stuff is obviously the bigger concern.

Outlook: Payne is a nice target for teams needing a boost in the traditional guard stats at the end of 16-team drafts. He'll be a must-add player if Paul gets hurt again but will play enough to threaten top-200 numbers in his own right, though your mileage will vary depending on how badly you want some extra assists and steals.

Dario Saric, PF

Per-Game Value: / (8/9Cat)

Total Value: / (8/9Cat)

Games Played:

2021-22 Review: Saric sat out the entire season while recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in the 2021 Finals.

This Year: Saric is healthy again and ready to compete for a rotation spot as the Suns try to return to the Finals. JaVale McGee is gone and the center depth chart currently features Bismack Biyombo, Jock Landale and Ish Wainright behind Deandre Ayton, so it's not an insurmountable task for Saric to get back in the picture. If the Suns decide that small-ball is the way in non-Ayton minutes, then Saric is sitting pretty.

Injury History: The 2020-21 season was a year of poor health for Saric, who missed the first three games with right quad soreness before missing nine games while in the health and safety protocols, and he later suffered a left ankle sprain while preparing to return, costing him another three games. Saric also missed one game with a right ankle sprain and three for left ankle injury management after reporting some stiffness in April. Things got even worse as Saric tore his right ACL in the first game of the Finals. In 2019-20 Saric missed seven games with a left ankle sprain during the season and dealt with left leg/ankle soreness in the bubble but didn’t miss any seeding games. The only other injury of note in his career so far is a three-game absence with a fluky case of elbow cellulitis four years back.

Outlook: Saric is a deep-league flier if he's able to lay claim to the backup center spot again. He brings a little more playmaking to the table than the team's other options and that could be his ticket to getting back on the 20-team radar.

Landry Shamet, SG

Per-Game Value: 332 / 317 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 249 / 241 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 68

2021-22 Review: Shamet's numbers haven't changed much throughout his four years in the league, even as his playing time has fluctuated. He is what he is -- a 3-point shooter who can capably fill in for an injured starter every now and then, with limited contributions beyond his spacing. Shamet shot a career-low from 3-point range last season, which still wasn't bad, but it only underscored how difficult it can be to deliver fantasy value with that kind of stat set. Outside of streaming situations when the team was shorthanded, most managers didn't have to think about him much.

This Year: Shamet will slot in on the wings and possibly function as the third point guard, though that work will only come up in emergency situations. He should be able to hold off Damion Lee for playing time in the second unit.

Injury History: Last year, Shamet missed nine games with a right ankle sprain, one with a right foot contusion and three because of the health and safety protocols. Shamet hit the shelf with a right ankle sprain in 2020-21, causing him to miss five games, but was otherwise healthy. In 2019-20, a Grade 2 left ankle sprain caused a 17-game absence, and a left foot sprain dinged Shamet at the end of the Clippers’ seeding schedule. He also tested positive for COVID-19. Previously, Shamet missed the 2018 Summer League with a right ankle sprain. Back in college he battled a left foot fracture that forced him to redshirt his freshman year and a fractured right foot in July of 2017.

Outlook: Shamet is a deep-league 3-point specialist. It is what it is.

Ish Wainright, PF

Per-Game Value: 488 / 480 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 405 / 401 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 43

2021-22 Review: Wainright was cut from Raptors camp and ended up with the Suns, where he would see garbage time action and occasionally slot in as a small-ball center option. Outside of those scenarios he was stapled to the bench, but gave Monty Williams an intriguing option as a strong, versatile frontcourt defender.

This Year: Wainright heads back to Phoenix on a two-way contract and though his physical attributes make him a worthwhile development project, he'll now need to contend with a returning Dario Saric and Jock Landale for minutes as the team's third center.

Injury History: Wainright missed a couple of games with a back problem and two in the health and safety protocols. The only injury of note in his past is a left foot stress fracture from 2012.

Outlook: Wainright could be a defensive specialist for 30-team leagues but you can likely leave him undrafted in just about all formats. If he gets into the rotation you can reassess from there.

Duane Washington Jr., PG

Per-Game Value: 328 / 359 (8/9Cat)

Total Value: 313 / 330 (8/9Cat)

Games Played: 31

2021-22 Review: Washington was given a chance to shine, like most of the young Pacers, when Indiana was dealing with major injuries and shutdowns late in the season. He flashed some scoring upside and was always a reasonable streamer for points and triples when he was lined up for rotation minutes, eventually earning a standard deal before the end of the season.

This Year: Washington was waived before his contract became guaranteed and ended up in Phoenix on a two-way contract. He'll be the team's emergency PG behind Chris Paul and Cameron Payne.

Injury History: Washington missed a couple of games with a right hip bruise but avoided the injury report otherwise.

Outlook: Washington is a watch list guy in super deep leagues but won't be on the radar unless injuries strike.

*Originally published August 31, 2022