The NBA released its 2016-17 regular-season schedule Thursday. As Phoenix Suns fans peruse their team's schedule, here are the five games they should circle on their calendar:
Oct. 26: Sacramento Kings vs. Suns
Hope springs eternal for teams in the opener. It's your first chance to get a view in a game that counts of draft picks Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss, along with last year's rookie standout, Devin Booker. This is the future of the Suns.
Oct. 30: Golden State Warriors vs. Suns
What fan doesn't want to see what the young Suns can do against Golden State? Booker isn't a star yet, but after averaging 13.1 points on the way to All-Rookie honors in 2015, it's a good test to see how far he's come and how far he still has to go.
Nov. 6: Suns at Los Angeles Lakers
The Suns and Lakers were the bottom two teams in the West last season, but both added plenty of talent in this past draft: Brandon Ingram with the Lakers and Bender with the Suns.
Nov. 19: Suns at 76ers
These are two young building teams with plenty of young talent to watch. Along with Booker, Bender and Chriss, keep an eye on Ben Simmons, Jahlil Okafor and perhaps Joel Embiid for the 76ers.
Jan. 8: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Suns
The Suns will host the defending NBA champs only once this season.