Suns GM: 'Goal is to try to win, and that is not tanking'

Perhaps the Phoenix Suns are trying reverse psychology after Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was hit with a $600,000 fine for suggesting his side need to lose games.

After blatantly sitting out Eric Bledsoe for the final 15 games of the season in 2017, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough called the decision "strategic resting," according to azcentral Sports' Scott Bordow. The Suns, however, have made clear they will not take the same approach with their aged veterans this terms.

However, with the Suns at the bottom of the league standings at 18-41 with the worst point differential in the NBA (minus-8.9), the priority will still be developing their young roster as opposed to utilizing vets like Tyson Chandler and Jared Dudley.

"We’re planning on doing what we have been doing, that’s playing our young players. For us, that’s not a change," McDonough said. "… We want to continue to have them improve and get minutes and try to win as many games as we can."

It's easy not to call it tanking when the roster has struggled to date regardless. But, after the trouble Cuban got himself into, it doesn't hurt to come out and say winning is the only priority.

"I have been told nothing other than try to win games," McDonough said. "So my goal is to try to win, and that is not tanking."

The Suns' top seven in total minutes played this season are 26 years old or younger. Chandler, 35, has started 42 games but will likely see his minutes decrease significantly with just 23 matchups remaining.

Phoenix currently ranks 29th with an offensive rating of 101.5 and is last with a defensive rating of 110.6. The Suns have lost 28 games this season by 10-plus points, which includes four losses by 42 or more.