Editing Phoenix Suns (section)

====2015–2020: The arrival of Devin Booker and further struggle years====
[[File:Devin Booker (30362063153) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Devin Booker]] in 2016]]
In the [[2015 NBA draft]], the Suns drafted [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]] [[shooting guard]] [[Devin Booker]] with the 13th pick. He was the youngest player drafted at the time by the Suns at 18-years-old<ref>{{cite news|agency=The Associated Press|title=Suns' Booker sure doesn't talk like an 18-year-old|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/06/26/suns-booker-sure-doesnt-talk-like-an-18-year-old/29368199/|access-date=December 19, 2017|newspaper=USA Today|date=June 26, 2015|location=Phoenix|archive-date=June 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626201056/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2015/06/26/suns-booker-sure-doesnt-talk-like-an-18-year-old/29368199/|url-status=live}}</ref> and debuted two days before his 19th birthday against the [[Dallas Mavericks]]. On July 1, 2015, the Suns retained the rights of Brandon Knight under an offer similar to that of Eric Bledsoe's, and signed [[Dallas Mavericks]] [[center (basketball)|center]] [[Tyson Chandler]] to a four-year deal worth $52 million. A day later, the Suns traded Markieff's brother [[Marcus Morris (basketball)|Marcus Morris]], [[Reggie Bullock]], and [[Danny Granger]] to the [[Detroit Pistons]] in exchange for their 2020 second-round selection. However, star player [[Eric Bledsoe]] sustained a season-ending injury on December 26, 2015.

On February 1, 2016, the Suns relieved [[Jeff Hornacek]] of his duties as head coach.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Suns Relieve Jeff Hornacek of Head Coaching Duties|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-relieve-jeff-hornacek-head-coaching-duties|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Suns.com|date=February 1, 2016|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202110553/http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-relieve-jeff-hornacek-head-coaching-duties|url-status=live}}</ref> Former NBA player [[Earl Watson]] took on interim head coaching duties. The Suns traded the disgruntled [[Markieff Morris]] on February 19, 2016, to the [[Washington Wizards]] for [[Kris Humphries]], [[DeJuan Blair]], and the Wizards' first-round pick in the [[2016 NBA draft]]. On March 14, 2016, the Suns were eliminated from playoff contention for a sixth straight season making it the longest drought in franchise history surpassing the five straight misses from the [[1970–71 NBA season]] to the [[1974–75 NBA season]]. However, rookie [[Devin Booker]] went from being a sixth-man off-the-bench player for Kentucky to future impact player after the injuries to [[Eric Bledsoe]] and [[Brandon Knight (basketball)|Brandon Knight]]. He earned the team's first [[NBA All-Rookie Team]] honors since [[Amar'e Stoudemire]] back in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rookie Run: Devin Booker|url=http://www.nba.com/suns/booker|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Suns.com|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617130945/http://www.nba.com/suns/booker|url-status=live}}</ref> Earl Watson officially became the full-time head coach on April 19, 2016, with his new assistant coaches [[Jay Triano]], former Suns player [[Tyrone Corbin]], [[Marlon Garnett]], and Scott Duncan replacing most of the assistant coaches from the previous season. During the [[2016 NBA draft]], the Suns drafted the 18-year-old Bosnian-born Croatian forward-center [[Dragan Bender]], [[University of Washington|Washington]] power forward [[Marquese Chriss]], and Kentucky point guard [[Tyler Ulis]]; Chriss was acquired by trading the Suns' 13th and 28th selections, [[Bogdan Bogdanović (basketball)|Bogdan Bogdanovic]], and the Pistons' 2020 second-round pick to the [[Sacramento Kings]]. During the 2016 free agency period, the Suns regained former players and fan-favorites [[Jared Dudley]] and [[Leandro Barbosa]] under new deals.

While the Suns ended the 2016–17 season with only a slight improvement from their previous record despite the return of [[Eric Bledsoe]], [[Devin Booker]] continued to improve in his second season with the team, leading the team in points scored at 22.1 per game. [[Marquese Chriss]] was also named to the All-Rookie Second Team that season. In the [[2017 NBA draft]], the Suns dropped to the 4th pick in the draft and selected [[Josh Jackson (basketball)|Josh Jackson]] from the [[University of Kansas]]. On October 22, 2017, head coach Earl Watson was fired after a 0–3 start that included two losses of 40+ point deficits, which led to [[Jay Triano]] being promoted to interim head coach.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/suns-name-canadas-jay-triano-interim-coach-firing-earl-watson/|title=Suns name Canada's Jay Triano interim coach after firing Earl Watson - Sportsnet.ca|work=Sportsnet.ca|access-date=October 23, 2017|archive-date=October 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031091109/http://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/suns-name-canadas-jay-triano-interim-coach-firing-earl-watson/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 7, Bledsoe was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for [[Greg Monroe]] and a protected first- and second-round draft pick.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Bucks Acquire Eric Bledsoe From Phoenix|url=http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/bucks-acquire-eric-bledsoe-phoenix|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Bucks.com|date=November 7, 2017|access-date=December 4, 2017|archive-date=December 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211052103/http://www.nba.com/bucks/release/bucks-acquire-eric-bledsoe-phoenix|url-status=live}}</ref> The Suns ended the season with the second-worst record in franchise history at 21–61. After the season concluded, the Suns let go of interim head coach Triano and hired [[Igor Kokoškov]] as the team's new head coach. The Suns earned their first no. 1 pick in the [[2018 NBA draft]] lottery after ending the season with the league-worst record that year. With the first overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, Phoenix selected [[Deandre Ayton]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mahoney|first=Brian|title=Phoenix Suns select Deandre Ayton with No. 1 pick in NBA Draft|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2018/06/21/phoenix-suns-select-deandre-ayton-no-1-pick-2018-nba-draft|agency=The Associated Press|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=June 21, 2018|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003014436/http://www.nba.com/article/2018/06/21/phoenix-suns-select-deandre-ayton-no-1-pick-2018-nba-draft|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=Suns Select Deandre Ayton with First Overall Pick of 2018 NBA Draft|url=https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-select-deandre-ayton-first-overall-pick-2018-nba-draft#gref|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Suns.com|date=June 21, 2018|access-date=October 2, 2018|archive-date=October 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003014749/https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-select-deandre-ayton-first-overall-pick-2018-nba-draft#gref|url-status=live}}</ref> They would also trade up into the top 10 that year to take [[Mikal Bridges]] with the 10th pick from the [[Philadelphia 76ers]], a draft pick the Suns already had from the [[Steve Nash]] trade before trading the pick to the 76ers in the [[Brandon Knight (basketball)|Brandon Knight]] trade. In the off-season, Devin Booker signed a 5-year $158 million contract extension with the Suns.

Before the start of the regular season and during preseason on October 8, 2018, owner [[Robert Sarver]] decided to relieve Ryan McDonough from the general manager position,<ref>{{cite web |title=Suns Relieve Ryan McDonough of General Manager Duties |url=https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-relieve-ryan-mcdonough-general-manager-duties |website=NBA.com |access-date=October 8, 2018 |archive-date=October 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008214648/https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-relieve-ryan-mcdonough-general-manager-duties |url-status=live }}</ref> and named vice president of basketball operations [[James Jones (basketball, born 1980)|James Jones]] and assistant general manager Trevor Bukstein as the interim general managers. A highlight of the season was when a planned three-way trade with the [[Washington Wizards]] and [[Memphis Grizzlies]] fell apart through miscommunication of the players involved and being sent in the planned deal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Amico |first1=Sam |title=One for the history Brooks: Three-team Ariza trade called off |url=http://amicohoops.net/nba-trade-rumors-washington-wizards-memphis-grizzlies-trevor-ariza-phoenix-suns-kelly-oubre-austin-rivers-marshon-brooks/ |website=amicohoops.net |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=December 14, 2018 |archive-date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913113214/http://amicohoops.net/nba-trade-rumors-washington-wizards-memphis-grizzlies-trevor-ariza-phoenix-suns-kelly-oubre-austin-rivers-marshon-brooks/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Suns would once again have another losing season as they missed the playoffs for the ninth straight season. At the end of the season, the Suns made [[James Jones (basketball, born 1980)|James Jones]] the team's permanent general manager, with co-interim general manager Trevor Bukstein returning to his prior assistant general manager role.<ref name="frontofficechanges2">{{cite web |title=Suns Name James Jones General Manager |url=https://www.nba.com/suns/suns-name-james-jones-general-manager-0 |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=April 11, 2019 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107232939/https://www.nba.com/suns/suns-name-james-jones-general-manager-0 |url-status=live }}</ref> When the season came to an end, the coaching staff, including head coach [[Igor Kokoškov]], were fired on April 23, 2019.<ref name="Igor2">{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/23/report-suns-fire-kokoskov|title=Suns fire Igor Kokoskov after one year|date=April 23, 2019|website=NBA.com|access-date=April 23, 2019|archive-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423090132/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/04/23/report-suns-fire-kokoskov|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="coachsearch2">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/suns-fire-head-coach-igor-kokoskov-after-one-season-plan-to-pursue-monty-williams-david-vanterpool-per-report/|title=Suns fire head coach Igor Kokoskov after one season; plan to pursue Monty Williams, David Vanterpool, per report|date=April 23, 2019|website=CBSSports.com|access-date=April 23, 2019|archive-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423145434/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/suns-fire-head-coach-igor-kokoskov-after-one-season-plan-to-pursue-monty-williams-david-vanterpool-per-report/|url-status=live}}</ref> Former [[New Orleans Pelicans|New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans]] head coach and [[Philadelphia 76ers]] assistant coach [[Monty Williams]] was hired as the team's new head coach on May 3,<ref name="Monty2">{{cite web |title=Suns Agree to Terms with Monty Williams to Become New Head Coach |url=https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-agree-terms-monty-williams-become-new-head-coach |website=NBA.com |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=May 3, 2019 |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003163852/https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-agree-terms-monty-williams-become-new-head-coach |url-status=live }}</ref> and completed the rest of the new coaching staff on June 26.<ref name="SunsCoachingStaff">{{cite web |title=Phoenix Suns announce complete coaching staff |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/06/26/suns-complete-coaching-staff-official-release |website=nba.com |access-date=June 27, 2019 |archive-date=June 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627074257/https://www.nba.com/article/2019/06/26/suns-complete-coaching-staff-official-release/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Phoenix finished with a 19–63 record, the worst in the Western Conference. Ayton made the All-Rookie First Team. The Suns had the third odds in the lottery but landed the sixth pick.

During the day of the [[2019 NBA draft]], the Suns agreed to deal [[T. J. Warren]] to the [[Indiana Pacers]] and their second-round pick (which would become [[KZ Okpala]]) to the [[Miami Heat]] for cash considerations.<ref name="WarrenTrade">{{cite web|title=Pacers Acquire T.J. Warren|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/pacers-acquire-tj-warren|website=NBA.com|access-date=July 6, 2019|date=July 6, 2019|archive-date=October 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026022553/https://www.nba.com/pacers/pacers-acquire-tj-warren|url-status=live}}</ref> During the draft, they agreed to swap their sixth pick (which would become [[Jarrett Culver]]), trading down for the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]' 11th pick (which would become [[Cameron Johnson]]) and [[Dario Šarić]],<ref name="DarioTrade">{{cite web|title=Timberwolves Acquire Draft Rights to Jarrett Culver in Completion of Draft-Night Trade|url=https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-acquire-draft-rights-jarrett-culver-completion-draft-night-trade|website=NBA.com|access-date=July 6, 2019|date=July 6, 2019|archive-date=December 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208071939/https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/timberwolves-acquire-draft-rights-jarrett-culver-completion-draft-night-trade|url-status=live}}</ref> and also agreeing to deal the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]' future first-round pick to the [[Boston Celtics]] for [[Aron Baynes]] and the draft rights to point guard [[Ty Jerome]],<ref name="AronTyTrade">{{cite web|title=Celtics Complete Trade With Phoenix Suns|url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-complete-trade-phoenix-suns|website=NBA.com|access-date=July 6, 2019|date=July 6, 2019|archive-date=July 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706192846/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-complete-trade-phoenix-suns|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as agree to a deal with undrafted [[Jalen Lecque]].<ref name="JalenLecque">{{cite web |last1=Rankin |first1=Duane |title=Phoenix Suns sign undrafted rookie Jalen Lecque, add to point guard dilemma |url=https://eu.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2019/06/21/phoenix-suns-signing-undrafted-rookie-jalen-lecque-adds-point-guard-dilemma/1530911001/ |website=azcentral |access-date=November 29, 2019 |date=June 22, 2019}}</ref> In the off-season they signed veteran point guard [[Ricky Rubio]] to a three-year deal, and re-signed Oubre to a two-year deal, signed [[Frank Kaminsky]] and [[Cheick Diallo]].

The Suns played the Kings in their season opener on October 23, 2019, and won 124–95. On October 24, Ayton was suspended 25 games for failing a drug test. However, the Suns continued to play well, going 11–12 over their next 23 games.

On January 22, 2020, [[Larry Fitzgerald]] purchased a minority stake in the Suns, becoming the second active (at the time) NFL player with an NBA ownership share.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald buys share of Suns |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28536699/cardinals-wr-larry-fitzgerald-buys-share-suns |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |last2=Schefter |first2=Adam |date=January 22, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |access-date= |archive-date=March 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323131150/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28536699/cardinals-wr-larry-fitzgerald-buys-share-suns |url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 13, 2020, NBA Commissioner [[Adam Silver]] announced that Devin Booker had been named as a reserve in the [[2020 NBA All-Star Game]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2020/02/13/booker-replace-lillard-2020-all-star-official-release |title=Phoenix's Booker to replace Portland's Lillard in 2020 NBA All-Star Game and MTN DEW 3-Point Contest |website=nba.com |date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=June 21, 2021 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213162008/https://www.nba.com/article/2020/02/13/booker-replace-lillard-2020-all-star-official-release |url-status=live }}</ref> marking the first time since [[Steve Nash]] in [[2012 NBA All-Star Game|2012]] that a Phoenix Suns player had been selected to the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/all_star.html |title=Phoenix Suns All-Star Game Selections |website=basketball-reference.com |access-date=June 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724044303/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/all_star.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This later selection came as a result of an injury to Portland's [[Damian Lillard]], who was unable to participate. Following the [[suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season]], the Suns were one of the 22 teams invited to the [[2020 NBA Bubble|NBA Bubble]] to participate in the final 8 games of the regular season. They went undefeated in the bubble, finishing 8–0, but failed to qualify for the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. They finished the season with a record of 34–39.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Board of Governors approves competitive format to restart 2019-20 season with 22 teams returning to play |url=https://www.nba.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |website=NBA.com |access-date=January 18, 2021 |date=June 4, 2020 |archive-date=October 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022021825/https://www.nba.com/news/board-of-governors-approves-nba-return-official-release |url-status=live }}</ref>