| Team: | Phoenix Suns |
| End Year: | 2018 |
| Wins: | 21 |
| Losses: | 61 |
| Division: | Pacific |
| Division Place: | 5 |
| Conf Place: | 15 |
| Coach: | Earl Watson Jay Triano (interim) |
| Gm: | Ryan McDonough |
| Owners: | Robert Sarver |
| Arena: | Talking Stick Resort Arena |
| Television: | Fox Sports Arizona |
| Radio: | KTAR |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Bbr Team: | PHO |
The 2017–18 Phoenix Suns season was the 50th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA),[1] as well as their 25th season at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. It was also their third season in five in which the Suns earned a top-five draft pick in the NBA draft, which became the second straight year of gaining the #4 pick in Josh Jackson.
Three games into the season, head coach Earl Watson was fired. Guard Eric Bledsoe implied he wanted out of Phoenix and was barred from playing with the team by general manager Ryan McDonough and fined $10,000. Under interim head coach Jay Triano, the Suns started 4–1 after suspending Bledsoe. The Suns later traded Bledsoe to the Milwaukee Bucks on November 7, 2017, in exchange for center Greg Monroe and two protected draft picks. After dealing with point guard problems and injuries, the Suns traded for Elfrid Payton on February 8, 2018, in exchange for a second round pick they had previously acquired.
See main article: 2017 NBA draft.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position(s) | Nationality | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Josh Jackson | Small Forward | Kansas | ||
| 2 | 32 | Davon Reed | Shooting Guard | Miami (FL) | ||
| 2 | 54 | Alec Peters | Power Forward | Valparaiso |
The Phoenix Suns entered the draft with only one first-round pick and two second round picks this season. Their first-round pick was their second straight pick at #4, despite having the second-best odds at the #1 pick that year. That draft later resulted in the Top 4 selections having the same teams representing the top of the draft similar to the previous year's draft. Meanwhile, their first second round pick was given to them for having the second-worst record of the season last season despite having a better record than their previous season. Their own second round pick was also used in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks during the 2017 trade deadline in exchange for the rights to Mike Scott, the draft rights to Turkish shooting guard/small forward Cenk Akyol, and some cash considerations worth $500,000, although it wasn't conveyed to Atlanta due to their second round pick(s) remaining in the top 55 of this year's draft. Finally, their second (and final) second round pick was given to them by the Toronto Raptors for trading defensive small forward P. J. Tucker to them that same day in exchange for their second round picks in 2017 & 2018, as well as the rights to Jared Sullinger and cash considerations worth $1,000,000. The Raptors' second round pick won the tiebreaker over both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Clippers (who originally held Picks 55 & 56 respectively that draft), but ultimately lost out to the Boston Celtics for pick 53 that year. Speaking of which, the Suns were also initially planned to get the Minnesota Timberwolves' second round selection for this year, but traded it away in a different trade with the Boston Celtics (back when it was still considered to be a first round draft pick) in order to get Brandan Wright on the team under the same season they first acquired Isaiah Thomas. In addition to that, the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick that had belonged to the Suns before the 2014–15 season came and went was originally perceived to be conveyed to the Philadelphia 76ers this year, but the Lakers still wound up with pick #2 again to keep their pick for this season; that 2018 pick could later be potentially given to the Boston Celtics in order for them to trade away their #1 pick this year to Philadelphia.
With the fourth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Suns selected freshman small forward Josh Jackson from the University of Kansas. During his only season with Kansas, Jackson showcased his talent. In the 35 games Josh played with the Jayhawks, he recorded averages of 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game while also earning the Big 12 Conference's Freshman of the Year Award, First Team All-Big 12 honors, and mixed honors with the NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans; more specifically, he'd get Second Team honors from the Sporting News, while he had Third Team honors from the Associated Press and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Meanwhile, with the Suns' first second round pick, they selected senior shooting guard Davon Reed from the University of Miami. Throughout his career in Miami, Florida, Reed managed to provide career averages of 10.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, but managed his best work as a senior with 14.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Davon's considered handiwork, however, comes on the defensive end, as he managed to earn All-ACC Defensive Team honors in 2017 alongside being a member of the All-ACC Third Team and holding great academics throughout his college career. Finally, with the last second round pick, Phoenix selected power forward Alec Peters from Valparaiso University. Under Alec's last season at Valparaiso, he became one of only two players to record over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in the NCAA's Division I with 23.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game recorded for them in his senior year (with the other player being senior power forward/center Tim Kempton Jr., son of former Suns player Tim Kempton Sr., from Lehigh University). As a result, Peters was named the Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Year in 2017. He also was named the Horizon League Tournament's MVP in 2015, an Academics All-American First Team member in 2017, became a three-time member of the All-Horizon League First Team from 2015 to 2017, and was even twice mentioned as an honorable mention for the Associated Press' All-American Teams. Like first-round pick Josh Jackson, Alec Peters was also named a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches' All-American Third Team in 2017 himself. Peters was originally projected to be a late-first-round pick before his right leg injury near the end of his senior season led to his draft stock slipping to the late second round; he also became the team's second two-way contract of the season on September 18 (first contract being Mike James), meaning he'd split his playing time between the Phoenix Suns and their NBA G League affiliate, the Northern Arizona Suns, for the vast majority of the season.
See main article: List of 2017–18 NBA season transactions.
This season, the only player on the Suns set to become an unrestricted free agent as of the end of the 2016–17 NBA season was the twice-returned Ronnie Price. However, for restricted free agents, both centers Alex Len and Alan Williams were given qualifying offers on June 27, 2017, and could have opportunities to remain with the team if the Suns wanted to keep both of them. T. J. Warren also stayed for a longer period of time, signing a four-year deal worth $50 million on September 25, 2017. In addition, veteran guard Leandro Barbosa and small forwards Derrick Jones Jr. and Elijah Millsap, all have team options for another season, with the latter two having them near the mid-season deadline on January 7, 2018, although neither player got to that point in time. Alan Williams also qualified for the NBA's Early Bird rights due to previously debuting late in the 2015–16 NBA season and essentially signing a two-year deal around that time.[2] This season also marks the first season where NBA teams get to add 16 or even 17 players to their official roster using two-way contracts, which allows NBA teams to add players with less than three full years of NBA experience to enter the league with the condition of staying on their NBA G League team for the majority of the season for higher salaries than they could otherwise get in the recently rebranded league.[3] [4]
Summer League invite Mike James, a point guard who previously went to Eastern Arizona College and a Greek Basket League star with the Panathinaikos Superfoods, announced prior to free agency that he would try to earn a two-way contract. On July 2, the Suns gave Alan Williams a four-year deal worth around $24 million to stay with his hometown team. A day later, the Suns renounced their rights to Leandro Barbosa making him a free agent in the process. Mike James also officially signed a deal with the Suns the same day they announced their team for the 2017 NBA Summer League. After originally being offered a four-year deal worth $24 million from the Suns, Williams officially received a three-year partially guaranteed deal worth $17 million on July 9 and signed it on July 26. A day before Williams signed with the Suns, however, it was reported that Brandon Knight tore his ACL during a pickup game in Florida. With the announcement of Knight's ACL injury causing him to be out for most of the season, the Suns qualified to have an additional $6.8 million to spend as a disabled player exception, likely extending their roster to 18 players at some point this season. The roster potentially required that extra player again on August 25 with the announcement of rookie shooting guard Davon Reed being out for four to six months due to surgery on his left meniscus and then on September 22 with center/power forward Alan Williams being out for a currently undetermined time with a partially torn meniscus of his own. A day before his teammate got injured, though, the Suns signed their other center, Alex Len, to a one-year qualifying offer worth $4.2 million to remain on their squad. On November 11, 2017, it was announced that Leandro Barbosa would return to his native land of Brazil for a second time, this time being a part of the Franca Basquetebol Clube. Ronnie Price ultimately was the only player from last season's roster to not play at all entering this season.
On August 22, 2017, the Suns signed former Iowa University shooting guard Peter Jok to a partially guaranteed deal to prove his worth in training camp. On September 11, it was originally announced that the Suns signed shooting guard and former first round draft pick R. J. Hunter as a possible temporary replacement for injured rookie Davon Reed. It was later reported from The Arizona Republic on that same day that Hunter alongside shooting guards Isaiah Canaan, Andre Dawkins, and Northern Arizona Suns' player Xavier Silas had all come to Phoenix for workouts, but none of them received a training camp offer with the Suns. On September 22, after Len's agreement was announced, former 2013 NBA draft number-one pick Anthony Bennett was confirmed as a partially guaranteed training camp deal player alongside Peter Jok. Furthermore, that same day also led to them gaining Troy Daniels from a trade to help shore up the shooting guard spot. Furthermore, on the same day Alex Len officially signed his qualifying offer (and Alan Williams had successful surgery on his meniscus), it was confirmed that T. J. Warren signed a four-year contract extension with the Suns worth $50 million. On October 11, the Suns cut Peter Jok and Anthony Bennett before their final preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers began. Two days later, before their actual last preseason game began against the Brisbane Bullets from Australia, the Suns signed a French power forward from Canada named Tidjan Keita. All of these players were part of the Northern Arizona Suns G League squad instead, with both Keita and Elijah Millsap being cut a day later (Millsap was later traded to the Iowa Wolves after being cut by Phoenix via the Northern Arizona squad for the #1 pick in the 2017 NBA G League Draft).
On December 7, 2017, after point guard Mike James finished the last day of his original two-way contract with Phoenix, he'd be retained by them with a full-blown contract, albeit at the price of being forced to waive small forward Derrick Jones Jr. earlier than expected. On the same day, after a loss to the Washington Wizards, the Suns signed Danuel House to a two-way contract, filling up the spot originally held for Mike James earlier in the year. However, Phoenix used their disabled player's injury exception to sign recent Northern Arizona Suns and former Houston Rockets combo guard Isaiah Canaan on December 13, 2017, with the tipping point involving star shooting guard Devin Booker being out for a few weeks. Isaiah was previously acquired by the Northern Arizona Suns trading their 2018 first-round pick to the Agua Caliente Clippers expansion squad for him. Canaan stayed with Phoenix even after Devin Booker returned from his injury by converting his deal into a standard one year, veteran's minimum contract, while the Suns waived former two-way contracted point guard Mike James from the team on December 22, 2017. However, after Canaan fractured his tibia on the same day they officially waived center Greg Monroe from the team (January 31), the Suns signed Northern Arizona Suns point guard Josh Gray to a 10-day contract a day later. In the aftermath of the February 8, 2018 NBA trade deadline, the Suns were forced to waive Isaiah Canaan (with him still receiving his full salary for the year) in order to gain Elfrid Payton in their trade with the Orlando Magic in exchange for a second round pick from Memphis. However, Canaan still got paid the full salary for the season and use the team's facilities to help his body recover from his season-ending injury.[5] Meanwhile, Josh Gray signed his second 10-day contract with Phoenix on February 11, although he was waived on February 21 (with his contract expiring that day) with fellow Northern Arizona Suns player Shaquille Harrison signing his own 10-day contract that day. Harrison signed his second 10-day contract on March 3 before signing a multi-year contract with Phoenix on March 13.
On September 22, 2017, the same day they had former #1 pick Anthony Bennett join their training camp roster, the Suns traded their own top-55 protected second round pick to the Memphis Grizzlies (which wasn't be conveyed to Memphis) in exchange for shooting guard Troy Daniels and a second round pick of their own, which was the middle choice between the Charlotte Hornets, Memphis, and the Miami Heat (which ultimately became Charlotte's second round pick). A month later, before the Suns fired head coach Earl Watson, star point guard Eric Bledsoe released a Tweet on Twitter saying he didn't want to be with the team. As a result of that tweet, he was sent home for the disruption. Teams that had talked with the Suns for their disgruntled star point guard included the Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and Cleveland Cavaliers. While waiting for a potential trade, they eventually let Bledsoe return for practices with the squad, but didn't allow him to play in games. Ultimately, a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks was made November 7, 2017. In that deal, the Suns received center Greg Monroe (who was on an expiring contract), a protected first-round pick that'd be conveyed in 2018 (if it was at picks #11–16; 2019 if it's at picks #4–18; 2020 if it's at picks #8–30; or 2021 as a fully unprotected pick), and a second round pick that was conveyed to Phoenix if it was at picks #48–60 or be conveyed to the Brooklyn Nets later on by the end of the season; and Greg Monroe was waived by having his contract be bought out on January 31, 2018. Finally, on the February 8, 2018 trade deadline, the Suns traded the Charlotte Hornets' second round pick they previously acquired from the Troy Daniels deal in exchange for point guard Elfrid Payton from the Orlando Magic for at least the rest of the season.
While general manager Ryan McDonough was originally confirmed to remain as the team's general manager and President of Basketball Operations on April 19, 2017, for at least one more season, he was given a contract extension to remain for both roles throughout the end of the decade on July 19, 2017. While McDonough never led the team to the playoffs throughout his original tenure (having a winning season only in his first year as general manager and being named the runner-up for the NBA Executive of the Year that year), what won him over was the youth movement that he arranged. Furthermore, on that same day, it was announced that former Suns player and three-time NBA Finals champion small forward/shooting guard James Jones was the new Vice President of Basketball Operations, to oversee basketball matters for the team like upcoming draft picks, trades, and free agency moves.[6]
On October 22, 2017, after having two of some of the worst losses in franchise history to start the season, the Suns fired head coach Earl Watson. That same day, the Suns hired Canadian associate head coach Jay Triano to be interim head coach for the rest of the season.[7] Later on that day, the Suns also fired assistant coaches Nate Bjorkgren, Mehmet Okur, and Jason Fraser. A day later, it was announced that the head coach of the Northern Arizona Suns affiliate team, Tyrone Ellis, was named as one of the new assistant coaches, with Marlon Garnett also being promoted as a full-time assistant coach that same day. However, Tyrone wasn't officially called over until October 24, 2017, alongside Northern Arizona Suns assistant coaches Bret Burchard and Brandon Rosenthal taking over some of the vacant coaching spots for the Phoenix Suns (with Tyler Gatlin being left to take over as the head coach for the G League squad for the preseason before returning as assistant (and later associate) coach for Cody Toppert's new coaching staff for Northern Arizona's regular season). For Northern Arizona, they found their newest assistant coaches to join Tyler Gatlin on November 20 with Nick Friedman and two-time former Phoenix Suns (and one-time Bakersfield Jam player back when the Northern Arizona squad was called that) center Earl Barron joining that newly completed coaching staff for the season. During the season, Phoenix also looked to target potential new coaching candidates, including former Memphis Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale, former Suns and current (at the time) Utah Jazz assistant coach Igor Kokoškov, and Villanova University head coach Jay Wright around the conclusion of the season.[8] [9] [10] In fact, on March 23, 2018, it was confirmed by general manager Ryan McDonough that the team has begun their coaching search earlier than anticipated.[11]
| style= width="55%" | Player | style= width="55%" | 2017–18 Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Knight | $13,618,750 | |||
| Tyson Chandler | $13,000,000 | |||
| Jared Dudley | $10,000,000 | |||
| Alan Williams | $6,000,000 | |||
| Josh Jackson | $5,090,040 | |||
| Dragan Bender | $4,468,800 | |||
| Oleksiy "Alex" Len | $4,200,000 | |||
| Troy Daniels | $3,408,520 | |||
| Elfrid Payton | $3,332,340 | |||
| T. J. Warren | $3,152,930 | |||
| Marquese Chriss | $3,073,800 | |||
| Devin Booker | $2,319,360 | |||
| Tyler Ulis | $1,312,611< | --Was previously at $905,249--> | ||
| Davon Reed | $815,615 | |||
| Shaquille Harrison | $230,399 | |||
| Alec Peters | $75,000 | |||
| Danuel House Jr. | $75,000 | |||
| style= width="50%" | Total | style= width="50%" align="right" | $89,413,909 |
This pre-season marked the first pre-season where the number of games was intentionally shortened for the purpose of better quality control as the season continued onward, going from the usual 7–8 games to 5 games. It was also announced on July 31 that the Suns would play a preseason game against the Brisbane Bullets from the NBL in Australia on October 13 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena. Their official preseason schedule was announced a day later, with the only other NBA teams the Suns being the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz both on the road and at home. While the Suns started and closed the preseason out strongly, they had a tough time in the middle of it, ending the preseason with a 2–3 record.|- style="background:#cfc;"| 1| October 3| @ Portland| | T. J. Warren (24)| Alex Len (13)| Devin Booker (5)| Moda Center
15,507| 1–0|- style="background:#fcc;"| 2| October 6| @ Utah| | Alex Len, Troy Daniels (18)| Alex Len (9)| Tyler Ulis (6)| Vivint Smart Home Arena
17,196| 1–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 3| October 9| Utah| | Devin Booker (19)| Alex Len (6)| Eric Bledsoe (7)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
7,643| 1–2|- style="background:#fcc;"| 4| October 11| Portland| | Josh Jackson (22)| Marquese Chriss (12)| Eric Bledsoe (6)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
13,230| 1–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 5| October 13| Brisbane| | Devin Booker (31)| Dragan Bender, Tyson Chandler (9)| Devin Booker (6)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
8,297| 2–3
According to a Twitter leak on the Los Angeles Clippers' home schedule, it revealed that the Phoenix Suns would play the Clippers at the Staples Center on October 21 and December 20, 2017; the former date being the first game the Clippers will play on their home court.[13] Phoenix's full schedule was released on August 14, 2017.
|- style="background:#fcc;"| 1| October 18| Portland| | Eric Bledsoe (15)| Dragan Bender (7)| Eric Bledsoe (3)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 0–1|- style="background:#fcc;"| 2| October 20| L.A. Lakers| | Eric Bledsoe (28)| Devin Booker (11)| Devin Booker (8)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 0–2|- style="background:#fcc;"| 3| October 21| @ L.A. Clippers| | Alex Len (15)| Tyson Chandler (14)| Mike James (6)| Staples Center
19,068| 0–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 4| October 23| Sacramento| | Devin Booker (22)| Tyson Chandler (14)| Mike James (7)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
14,903| 1–3|- style="background:#cfc;"| 5| October 25| Utah| | T. J. Warren (27)| Alex Len (13)| Tyler Ulis (5)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,022| 2–3|- style="background:#fcc"| 6| October 28| @ Portland| | Devin Booker (34)| Alex Len (8)| Devin Booker (6)| Moda Center
19,343| 2–4|- style="background:#cfc"| 7| October 31| @ Brooklyn| | Devin Booker (30)| Alex Len (15)| Mike James (5)| Barclays Center
12,936| 3–4|- style="background:#cfc"| 8| November 1| @ Washington| | T. J. Warren (40)| Marquese Chriss, T. J. Warren (10)| Mike James (6)| Capital One Arena
14,790| 4–4|- style="background:#fcc"| 9| November 3| @ New York| | Devin Booker (34)| Tyson Chandler (10)| Mike James (8)| Madison Square Garden
19,404| 4–5|- style="background:#fcc"| 10| November 5| @ San Antonio| | T. J. Warren (17)| Tyson Chandler (14)| Tyler Ulis (7)| AT&T Center
18,038| 4–6|- style="background:#fcc"| 11| November 6| Brooklyn| | T. J. Warren (20)| Alex Len (14)| Tyler Ulis (3)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
15,905| 4–7|- style="background:#fcc"| 12| November 8| Miami| | Devin Booker (30)| Marquese Chriss (9)| Devin Booker (6)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,500| 4–8|- style="background:#fcc"| 13| November 10| Orlando| | Alex Len (21)| Alex Len (13)| Devin Booker (5)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,507| 4–9|- style="background:#cfc"| 14| November 11| Minnesota| | Devin Booker, T. J. Warren (35)| Devin Booker (9)| Devin Booker (6)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,910| 5–9|- style="background:#fcc"| 15| November 13| L.A. Lakers| | Devin Booker (36)| Tyson Chandler (15)| Devin Booker, T. J. Warren (3)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
17,533| 5–10|- style="background:#fcc"| 16| November 16| Houston| | Troy Daniels (23)| Alex Len (13)| Devin Booker (10)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,875| 5–11|- style="background:#cfc"| 17| November 17| @ L.A. Lakers| | Devin Booker (33)| Alex Len (18)| Mike James (8)| Staples Center
18,997| 6–11|- style="background:#cfc"| 18| November 19| Chicago| | T. J. Warren (27)| Alex Len (8)| Devin Booker (6)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,264| 7–11|- style="background:#fcc"| 19| November 22| Milwaukee| | Devin Booker (23)| Tyson Chandler (12)| Devin Booker (4)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,270| 7–12|- style="background:#fcc"| 20| November 24| New Orleans| | T. J. Warren (18)| Tyson Chandler (9)| Mike James (4)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,574| 7–13|- style="background:#fcc"| 21| November 26| @ Minnesota| | Mike James (26)| Tyson Chandler, Marquese Chriss (7)| Mike James (7)| Target Center
16,448| 7–14|- style="background:#cfc"| 22| November 28| @ Chicago| | Devin Booker (33)| Alex Len (18)| Mike James (7)| United Center
18,324| 8–14|- style="background:#fcc"| 23| November 29| @ Detroit| | Devin Booker (22)| Josh Jackson, Greg Monroe (7)| Greg Monroe (5)| Little Caesars Arena
18,096| 8–15|- style="background:#fcc"| 24| December 2| @ Boston| | Devin Booker (38)| Tyson Chandler (18)| Devin Booker, Mike James (5)| TD Garden
18,624| 8–16|- style="background:#cfc"| 25| December 4| @ Philadelphia| | Devin Booker (46)| Tyson Chandler (12)| Tyler Ulis (12)| Wells Fargo Center
20,564| 9–16|- style="background:#fcc"| 26| December 5| @ Toronto| | Devin Booker (19)| Greg Monroe (10)| Devin Booker (8)| Air Canada Centre
19,800| 9–17|- style="background:#fcc"| 27| December 7| Washington| | T. J. Warren (23)| Alex Len, T. J. Warren (8)| Tyler Ulis (6)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
15,925| 9–18|- style="background:#fcc"| 28| December 9| San Antonio| | Mike James (25)| Greg Monroe (11)| Tyson Chandler, Mike James,
Tyler Ulis, T. J. Warren (2)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,575| 9–19|- style="background:#fcc"| 29| December 12| @ Sacramento| | T. J. Warren (18)| Tyson Chandler (10)| Mike James (5)| Golden 1 Center
17,583| 9–20|- style="background:#fcc"| 30| December 13| Toronto| | Troy Daniels (32)| Greg Monroe (11)| Tyler Ulis (8)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
15,517| 9–21|- style="background:#cfc"| 31| December 16| @ Minnesota| | Dragan Bender, Troy Daniels (17)| Alex Len (19)| Isaiah Canaan (7)| Target Center
18,109| 10–21|- style="background:#cfc"| 32| December 18| @ Dallas| | T. J. Warren (19)| Alex Len (14)| Isaiah Canaan (6)| American Airlines Center
19,245| 11–21|- style="background:#fcc"| 33| December 20| @ L.A. Clippers| | T. J. Warren (22)| T. J. Warren (10)| Mike James, T. J. Warren (4)| Staples Center
18,995| 11–22|- style="background:#cfc"| 34| December 21| Memphis| | T. J. Warren (27)| Greg Monroe (12)| Greg Monroe (7)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,339| 12–22|- style="background:#fcc"| 35| December 23| Minnesota| | T. J. Warren (24)| Tyson Chandler (15)| Isaiah Canaan (9)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,482| 12–23|- style="background:#cfc"| 36| December 26| Memphis| | Devin Booker (32)| Marquese Chriss (13)| Devin Booker, Tyler Ulis (6)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
17,105| 13–23|- style="background:#cfc"| 37| December 29| @ Sacramento| | Devin Booker, T. J. Warren (26)| Tyson Chandler (11)| Isaiah Canaan (6)| Golden 1 Center
17,583| 14–23|- style="background:#fcc"| 38| December 31| Philadelphia| | Devin Booker (32)| Tyson Chandler (11)| Devin Booker, Tyler Ulis (6)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,983| 14–24|- style="background:#cfc"| 39| January 2| Atlanta| | Devin Booker (34)| Marquese Chriss (11)| Devin Booker (7)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
15,921| 15–24|- style="background:#fcc"| 40| January 3| @ Denver| | Devin Booker (17)| Greg Monroe (10)| Devin Booker (5)| Pepsi Center
14,079| 15–25|- style="background:#fcc"| 41| January 5| @ San Antonio| | Devin Booker (21)| Tyson Chandler (12)| Tyler Ulis (6)| AT&T Center
18,501| 15–26|- style="background:#cfc"| 42| January 7| Oklahoma City| | Devin Booker (26)| Tyson Chandler (13)| Josh Jackson, Tyler Ulis (5)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 16–26|- style="background:#fcc"| 43| January 12| Houston| | Devin Booker (27)| Tyson Chandler (11)| Devin Booker, Tyler Ulis (9)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 16–27|- style="background:#fcc"| 44| January 14| Indiana| | Josh Jackson (21)| Tyson Chandler (14)| Devin Booker (7)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
17,091| 16–28|- style="background:#fcc"| 45| January 16| @ Portland| | Devin Booker (43)| Alex Len (10)| Devin Booker (8)| Moda Center
18,604| 16–29|- style="background:#cfc"| 46| January 19| @ Denver| | Devin Booker (30)| Tyson Chandler (9)| Isaiah Canaan (6)| Pepsi Center
15,732| 17–29|- style="background:#fcc"| 47| January 22| @ Milwaukee| | T. J. Warren (23)| Greg Monroe (7)| Jared Dudley (9)| Bradley Center
14,766| 17–30|- style="background:#fcc"| 48| January 24| @ Indiana| | Josh Jackson (20)| Greg Monroe (17)| Devin Booker, Isaiah Canaan (4)| Bankers Life Fieldhouse
14,060| 17–31|- style="background:#fcc"| 49| January 26| New York| | T. J. Warren (20)| Greg Monroe (10)| Isaiah Canaan, Jared Dudley (4)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
17,068| 17–32|- style="background:#fcc"| 50| January 28| @ Houston| | Devin Booker (37)| Tyson Chandler (15)| Devin Booker (10)| Toyota Center
18,055| 17–33|- style="background:#fcc"| 51| January 29| @ Memphis| | T. J. Warren (24)| Josh Jackson, Alex Len (8)| Tyler Ulis (7)| FedExForum
13,202| 17–34|- style="background:#cfc"| 52| January 31| Dallas| | Josh Jackson (21)| Marquese Chriss (12)| Devin Booker, T. J. Warren (4)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
15,923| 18–34|- style="background:#fcc"| 53| February 2| Utah| | Josh Jackson (20)| Dragan Bender (9)| Devin Booker (6)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,560| 18–35|- style="background:#fcc"| 54| February 4| Charlotte| | Josh Jackson (23)| Tyson Chandler (10)| Devin Booker (9)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
14,487| 18–36|- style="background:#fcc"| 55| February 6| @ L.A. Lakers| | T. J. Warren (24)| Tyson Chandler (13)| Tyler Ulis (7)| Staples Center
18,997| 18–37|- style="background:#fcc"| 56| February 7| San Antonio| | Alex Len (14)| Marquese Chriss (10)| Josh Gray (7)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
15,993| 18–38|- style="background:#fcc"| 57| February 10| Denver| | T. J. Warren (31)| Dragan Bender (8)| Elfrid Payton (9)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,325| 18–39|- style="background:#fcc"| 58| February 12| @ Golden State| | Elfrid Payton (29)| Tyson Chandler (9)| Elfrid Payton (9)| Oracle Arena
19,596| 18–40|- style="background:#fcc"| 59| February 14| @ Utah| | Devin Booker (28)| Elfrid Payton (11)| Elfrid Payton (12)| Vivint Smart Home Arena
18,306| 18–41|- style="text-align:center;"| colspan="9" style="background:#bbcaff;"|All-Star Break|- style="background:#fcc"| 60| February 23| L.A. Clippers| | Devin Booker, T. J. Warren (27)| Alex Len (13)| Elfrid Payton (6)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
17,126| 18–42|- style="background:#fcc"| 61| February 24| Portland| | Devin Booker (30)| Alex Len (13)| Elfrid Payton (11)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
17,112| 18–43|- style="background:#fcc"| 62| February 26| @ New Orleans| | Devin Booker (40)| Josh Jackson (12)| Dragan Bender (7)| Smoothie King Center
14,302| 18–44|- style="background:#cfc"| 63| February 28| @ Memphis| | Devin Booker (34)| Alex Len (11)| Josh Jackson, Alex Len, Elfrid Payton (4)| FedExForum
13,484| 19–44|- style="background:#fcc"| 64| March 2| Oklahoma City| | Devin Booker (39)| Elfrid Payton (10)| Devin Booker, Elfrid Payton (8)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 19–45|- style="background:#fcc"| 65| March 4| @ Atlanta| | T. J. Warren (35)| Elfrid Payton (10)| Elfrid Payton (14)| Philips Arena
15,166| 19–46|- style="background:#fcc"| 66| March 5| @ Miami| | Devin Booker (31)| Josh Jackson (7)| Dragan Bender (6)| American Airlines Arena
19,600| 19–47|- style="background:#fcc"| 67| March 8| @ Oklahoma City| | Devin Booker (30)| Devin Booker, Troy Daniels (6)| Elfrid Payton (6)| Chesapeake Energy Arena
18,203| 19–48|- style="background:#fcc"| 68| March 10| @ Charlotte| | Troy Daniels (17)| Marquese Chriss, Davon Reed (6)| Tyler Ulis (10)| Spectrum Center
19,336| 19–49|- style="background:#fcc"| 69| March 13| Cleveland| | Josh Jackson, T. J. Warren (19)| T. J. Warren (10)| Elfrid Payton (7)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 19–50|- style="background:#fcc"| 70| March 15| @ Utah| | T. J. Warren (19)| Josh Jackson, Alex Len (9)| Shaquille Harrison, Tyler Ulis (3)| Vivint Smart Home Arena
18,306| 19–51|- style="background:#fcc"| 71| March 17| Golden State| | Josh Jackson (36)| Alex Len (9)| Elfrid Payton (9)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 19–52|- style="background:#fcc"| 72| March 20| Detroit| | Alex Len (19)| Alex Len (12)| Elfrid Payton, Tyler Ulis (5)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
17,400| 19–53|- style="background:#fcc"| 73| March 23| @ Cleveland| | Troy Daniels (20)| Marquese Chriss (10)| Tyler Ulis (9)| Quicken Loans Arena
20,562| 19–54|- style="background:#fcc"| 74| March 24| @ Orlando| | Josh Jackson (18)| Alex Len (9)| Elfrid Payton (8)| Amway Center
17,393| 19–55|- style="background:#fcc"| 75| March 26| Boston| | Josh Jackson (23)| Dragan Bender (10)| Tyler Ulis (8)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 19–56|- style="background:#fcc"| 76| March 28| L.A. Clippers| | Tyler Ulis (23)| Marquese Chriss (13)| Josh Jackson (5)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
17,005| 19–57|- style="background:#fcc"| 77| March 30| @ Houston| | Josh Jackson (27)| Marquese Chriss (12)| Tyler Ulis (11)| Toyota Center
18,055| 19–58|- style="background:#fcc"| 78| April 1| @ Golden State| | Marquese Chriss, Josh Jackson (22)| Dragan Bender (11)| Tyler Ulis (8)| Oracle Arena
19,596| 19–59|- style="background:#cfc"| 79| April 3| Sacramento| | Josh Jackson (28)| Marquese Chriss (13)| Tyler Ulis (9)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
16,826| 20–59|- style="background:#fcc"| 80| April 6| New Orleans| | Marquese Chriss (23)| Josh Jackson (11)| Shaquille Harrison (5)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 20–60|- style="background:#fcc"| 81| April 8| Golden State| | Danuel House (22)| Dragan Bender (14)| Tyler Ulis (10)| Talking Stick Resort Arena
18,055| 20–61 |- style="background:#cfc"| 82| April 10| @ Dallas| | Alec Peters (36)| Dragan Bender (13)| Shaquille Harrison (10)| American Airlines Center
20,041| 21–61
|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|| 82 || 37 || 25.2 || .386 || .366 || .765 || 4.4 || 1.6 || 0.3 || 0.6 || 6.5|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|*| 3 || 3 || 27.7 || .400 || .308 || .786 || 2.3 || 3.0 || 1.3 || 0.7 || 15.7|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|| 54 || 54 || 34.5 || .432 || .383 || .878 || 4.5 || 4.7 || 0.9 || 0.3 || 24.9|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|*| 19 || 1 || 22.0 || .382 || .333 || .902 || 2.3 || 4.0 || 0.8 || 0.1 || 9.1|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|| 46 || 46 || 25.0 || .647 || .000 || .617 || 9.1 || 1.2 || 0.3 || 0.6 || 6.5|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|| 72 || 49 || 21.2 || .423 || .295 || .608 || 5.5 || 1.2 || 0.7 || 1.0 || 7.7|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|| 79 || 15 || 20.5 || .403 || .400 || .875 || 1.6 || 0.6 || 0.3 || 0.1 || 8.9|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|| 48 || 0 || 14.3 || .393 || .363 || .771 || 1.9 || 1.6 || 0.5 || 0.2 || 3.2|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|| 5 || 0 || 17.2 || .268 || .231 || .636 || 2.0 || 2.4 || 1.6 || 0.4 || 6.4|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|| 23 || 2 || 16.7 || .476 || .231 || .737 || 2.7 || 2.4 || 1.1 || 0.3 || 6.6|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|| 23 || 3 || 17.5 || .434 || .259 || .806 || 3.3 || 1.1 || 0.3 || 0.3 || 6.6|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|| 77 || 35 || 25.4 || .417 || .263 || .634 || 4.6 || 1.5 || 1.0 || 0.5 || 13.1|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|*| 32 || 10 || 20.9 || .388 || .268 || .762 || 2.5 || 3.5 || 0.8 || 0.2 || 10.4|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|*| 6 || 0 || 5.5 || .500 || .000 || .833 || 0.7 || 0.5 || 0.2 || 0.7 || 1.5|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|| 69 || 13 || 20.2 || .566 || .333 || .684 || 7.5 || 1.2 || 0.4 || 0.9 || 8.5|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|*| 20 || 14 || 23.3 || .626 || .000 || .674 || 8.0 || 2.5 || 0.8 || 0.3 || 11.3|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|*| 19 || 19 || 29.0 || .435 || .200 || .685 || 5.3 || 6.2 || 1.0 || 0.3 || 11.8|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|| 20 || 0 || 11.3 || .378 || .310 || .800 || 1.9 || 0.6 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 4.1|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|| 21 || 1 || 11.5 || .289 || .289 || .667 || 1.9 || 0.6 || 0.5 || 0.1 || 3.0|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|| 71 || 43 || 23.4 || .388 || .288 || .832 || 1.8 || 4.4 || 1.0 || 0.1 || 7.8|- style="text-align:center;" bgcolor=""|| 65 || 65 || 33.0 || .498 || .222 || .757 || 5.1 || 1.3 || 1.0 || 0.6 || 19.6|- style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0f0;"|| 5 || 0 || 14.0 || .389 || .000 || .630 || 5.7 || 0.6 || 0.6 || 0.2 || 4.0|}
* – Stats with the Suns.
| Player | Duration | Reason for Missed Time< | --Do not include players who did not play due to coach's decision or were forced upon the inactive list. What can be included, though, are players that were assigned time in the G-League.--> | Games Missed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start | End | ||||
| June 23, 2017 | October 23, 2017 | Required surgery on a left toe bone and ligament. | 3 | ||
| July 20, 2017 | The Entire Season | Accidentally tore his ACL while playing a pickup game in Florida. | 82 | ||
| August 25, 2017 | January 14, 2018 | Needed surgery on a torn left meniscus. | 43 | ||
| September 22, 2017 | March 26, 2018 | Partially tore his right meniscus during practice. | 74 | ||
| October 14, 2017 | October 20, 2017 | Sprained left ankle during practice. | 1 | ||
| October 23, 2017 | November 7, 2017 (Traded) | Sent home after subtly demanding a trade via Twitter. | 8 | ||
| October 23, 2017 | January 12, 2018 | Assigned to the Northern Arizona Suns by Phoenix via two-way contract. | 39 | ||
| October 25, 2017 | November 5, 2017 | Training to get back into proper game shape. | 5 | ||
| November 7, 2017 | November 24, 2017 | Assigned to the Northern Arizona Suns by Phoenix. | 8 | ||
| November 7, 2017 | November 16, 2017 | Had a sore left calf on October 26 back when he played in Milwaukee. | 4 | ||
| November 8, 2017 | November 11, 2017 | Was dealing with back spasms at the time. | 2 | ||
| November 11, 2017 | November 24, 2017 | Sprained right knee in the fourth quarter during the home Orlando game. | 6 | ||
| November 16, 2017 | November 22, 2017 | Had an illness. | 3 | ||
| November 26, 2017 | November 28, 2017 | Had an inflamed right big toe. | 1 | ||
| December 5, 2017 | December 26, 2017 | Strained adductor in fourth quarter against Toronto. | 9 | ||
| December 26, 2017 | January 5, 2018 | Hurt his right foot against Minnesota. | 5 | ||
| January 2, 2018 | January 7, 2018 | Had an illness entering the new year. | 3 | ||
| January 5, 2018 | January 7, 2018 | Acquired an illness after the road Denver game. | 1 | ||
| January 5, 2018 | January 14, 2018 | Tore his left adductor during the road Denver game. | 3 | ||
| January 7, 2018 | January 26, 2018 | Strained right hip in second quarter against Oklahoma City. | 6 | ||
| January 12, 2018 | January 14, 2018 | Strained right hip during off day practicing. | 1 | ||
| January 14, 2018 | January 19, 2018 | Got sore back after the home Houston game. | 2 | ||
| January 24, 2018 | January 29, 2018 | Got sore right ankle during the road Milwaukee game. | 2 | ||
| January 28, 2018 | January 31, 2018 | Had a rib contusion in the fourth quarter of the road Houston game. | 1 | ||
| January 28, 2018 | January 31, 2018 | Sprained left ankle during the road Houston game. | 1 | ||
| January 31, 2018 | February 4, 2018 | Flared up ankle injury after road Memphis game. | 2 | ||
| January 31, 2018 | The Rest of The Season | Fractured his tibia near the end of the first quarter against Dallas. | 30 | ||
| February 3, 2018 | February 6, 2018 | Suspended for arguing with an assistant coach after the home Utah game. | 1 | ||
| February 4, 2018 | February 14, 2018 | Hurt left hip during fourth quarter in home Charlotte game. | 4 | ||
| February 6, 2018 | February 12, 2018 | Hurt his neck after the road Los Angeles Lakers game. | 2 | ||
| February 7, 2018 | February 14, 2018 | Hurt his back during the home San Antonio game. | 2 | ||
| February 14, 2018 | March 4, 2018 | Neck continued to hurt him after the All-Star break. | 6 | ||
| February 23, 2018 | March 10, 2018 | Back continued hurting after the All-Star break. | 8 | ||
| February 28, 2018 | March 2, 2018 | Hurt his tailbone during the road New Orleans game. | 1 | ||
| March 5, 2018 | March 8, 2018 | Hyperextended his right knee before playing the home Miami game. | 1 | ||
| March 8, 2018 | March 13, 2018 | Had a sore back during the home Miami game. | 2 | ||
| March 10, 2018 | March 13, 2018 | Hurt left knee during road Oklahoma City game. | 1 | ||
| March 10, 2018 | March 13, 2018 | Strained left triceps after road Oklahoma City game. | 1 | ||
| March 13, 2018 | The Rest of The Season | Neck continued hurting him alongside shoulder. | 14 | ||
| March 17, 2018 | The Rest of The Season | Hand hurt him badly before home Golden State game. | 12 | ||
| March 20, 2018 | The Rest of The Season | Injured hand after home Golden State game. | 11 | ||
| March 28, 2018 | The Rest of The Season | Got left knee tendonitis during home Boston game. | 7 | ||
| March 28, 2018 | April 3, 2018 | Tweaked ankle during home Boston game. | 3 | ||
| April 6, 2018 | The Rest of The Season | Got discomfort during home Sacramento game. | 3 | ||
| April 8, 2018 | The Rest of The Season | Experienced hip pain after home New Orleans game. | 2 | ||
| April 8, 2018 | The Rest of The Season | Hurt his quadriceps during the home New Orleans game. | 2 | ||
| April 10, 2018 | April 10, 2018 | Sprained his ankle during the home Golden State game. | 1 | ||
| September 22, 2017 | To Phoenix Suns Troy Daniels2018 second round pick (from Charlotte via Memphis)< | --The Charlotte Hornets turned out to be the middle selection of three teams between the Hornets, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Miami Heat.--> | To Memphis Grizzlies 2018 Top-55 protected second round pick< | --Was kept by Phoenix.--> |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 7, 2017[16] | To Phoenix Suns Greg Monroe 2020 protected first-round pick 2018 Top-47 protected second round pick< | --Selection went to the Brooklyn Nets instead.--> | To Milwaukee Bucks Eric Bledsoe | |
| February 8, 2018 | To Phoenix Suns Elfrid Payton | To Orlando Magic 2018 second round pick (from Charlotte via Memphis & Phoenix) |
| Player | Signed | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alan Williams[17] | Signed 3-year partially guaranteed deal worth $17 Million | July 27, 2017 | |
| Alex Len[18] | Signed 1-year qualifying offer worth $4.2 Million | September 25, 2017 | |
| T. J. Warren[19] | Signed 4-year contract extension worth $50 Million | September 26, 2017 | |
| Mike James[20] | Re-signed for a 1-year non-guaranteed deal worth $580,607 | December 7, 2017 |
| Player | Signed | Former team | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike James[21] | Originally signed two-way contract around $235,008[22] | Panathinaikos Athens Superfoods B.C. | |
| Danuel House Jr. | Signed two-way contract worth around $75,000–$204,000 | Houston Rockets / Rio Grande Valley Vipers | |
| Isaiah Canaan | Signed 1-year disabled player's exception worth $1,069,308 | Houston Rockets / Northern Arizona Suns | |
| Josh Gray | Signed two 10-day contracts worth $92,160 | Northern Arizona Suns | |
| Shaquille Harrison | Signed two 10-day contracts / 2-year deal worth $1,608,642 | Northern Arizona Suns |
| Player | Reason left | New team | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leandro Barbosa | Waived |  Franca Basquetebol Clube | |
| Ronnie Price | Free Agent / Waived | (Retired) | |
| Elijah Millsap | Waived | Northern Arizona Suns / Iowa Wolves | |
| Eric Bledsoe | Traded | Milwaukee Bucks | |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | Waived | Northern Arizona Suns / Miami Heat / Sioux Falls Skyforce | |
| Mike James | Waived | New Orleans Pelicans / Panathinaikos Athens Superfoods B.C. | |
| Greg Monroe | Waived / Bought out contract | Boston Celtics | |
| Isaiah Canaan | Waived | Phoenix Suns | |
| Josh Gray | Second 10-day contract expired / Waived | Northern Arizona Suns |