NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Phoenix Suns
By John Buhler
2016-17 was a rough season for the Phoenix Suns. They finished with the worst record in the Western Conference. Here are their five biggest offseason needs.
The 2016-17 NBA season was definitely one that the Phoenix Suns punted. When it became clear that Phoenix wasn’t going to be anywhere close to playoff viable, they quickly turned their focus to getting the best odds they could in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery.
After resting players in the final weeks of the season, Phoenix finished with the worst record in the Western Conference at 24-58. Only the Brooklyn Nets of the Eastern Conference were worse. Barring a few ping-pong balls not cooperating, the Suns should feel confident about their chances at landing a top-three pick.
Frankly, they need it because this roster is not a pretty one to look at. The only player on the Suns average NBA fans would pay to see is shooting guard Devin Booker. He could be a star in this league, but the 20-year-old kid desperately needs any help he can get.
Outside of starting shooting guard, the Suns can go in literally every direction to improve their awful basketball team. Here are the five biggest areas of needs for the Suns heading into the 2017 NBA offseason.
5. Veteran competition at center
Phoenix has a weird combination of ultra-young kids that probably played at Kentucky and lackluster veterans that are past their prime that also probably played at Kentucky. Unless John Calipari leaves Lexington for the Valley of the Sun, who is going to reach these kids?
Phoenix doubled-down in their frontcourt rebuild in the 2016 NBA Draft, drafting Dragan Bender at No. 4 and orchestrating a trade with the dysfunctional division rival Sacramento Kings to land Marquese Chriss. Neither did much of anything to impress their high draft selections as NBA rookies.
It’s still a tad too early to bail on either NBA player, but the Suns absolutely need to get them a frontcourt veteran or two in the back-end of his prime to push these kids. Tyson Chandler is collecting paychecks with his laissez-faire leadership approach in the frontcourt. Jared Dudley is a good organizational fit, but he’s a tweener at the stretch four. Not sure if he can imprint his unique outside game on either Bender or Chriss.
Then there is Alex Len, who will be hitting restricted free agency. Phoenix used a lottery pick on Len after he starred briefly for the Maryland Terrapins. By drafting Bender and Chris last summer, that could signify that Len is on the way out. Don’t expect Phoenix to match any big offer he commands in restricted free agency.
Two guys that would be great veteran leaders in the Suns frontcourt are Taj Gibson and Zach Randolph. Gibson was beloved while with the Chicago Bulls. He’s now with the Oklahoma City Thunder. They could look to keep him, but he will be a free agent. It would cost a pretty penny to sign Randolph away from Memphis. Phoenix doesn’t need another bad contract, but Randolph is an emotional leader the Suns need in the worst way.