Coming into the new season, the Phoenix Suns have a few clouds hanging overhead.
One of them is over starting center Deandre Ayton’s head. Ayton is the youngest starter on the team, arguably third or maybe even second-best player on the roster, getting into an argument with head coach Monty Williams during their blowout loss in Game 7 of the second round of the 2022 playoffs — way back on May 15th.
Since that game, with the season over, the Suns dispersed. When a player tested positive for COVID-19 the next day, even individual exit interviews were cancelled.