During 2013-14, the Phoenix Suns unexpectedly contended for a playoff spot, and that screwed up everything. Phoenix entered that season -- Ryan McDonough's first as general manager -- expecting to rebuild. The overachieving campaign put the Suns in an awkward position between committing to their young players and trying to win immediately. The result was a frustrating 2014-15 season. Phoenix's addition of Isaiah Thomas created a logjam that ultimately led to Goran Dragic forcing his way out at the trade deadline. The Suns ended up winning nine fewer games than the season before.
This summer, with the departures of Dragic and Thomas creating cap space, the Suns faced another crossroads. This time, they have clearly chosen trying to contend. On Wednesday, the first day of NBA free agency, Phoenix agreed with 32-year-old center Tyson Chandler on a reported four-year, $52 million contract. Chandler immediately accelerates Phoenix's timetable.