NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Phoenix Suns
By John Buhler
3. Outside shooting
Booker may be a great 3-point shooter already, having connected on 36.3 percent of his attempts from distance in his second NBA season. However, he can’t be the lone wolf out beyond the arc for the Phoenix offense.
Phoenix was in the bottom fifth of the league in 3-point field goals attempted, made and percentage. If defensive acumen isn’t going to be the calling card for Earl Watson’s team, it might as well be jump-shooting. The Suns did finish ninth in the NBA in points per game at 107.7 per contest. However, they were 22nd if offensive efficiency at 106.6 points per 100 possessions.
Dudley is a great catch-and-shoot guy at small forward/stretch four, but has had his issues with injuries these last few years. He’s bounced from team to team before apparently sticking in Phoenix for a second tenure. If Watson can’t encourage his players to shoot more 3s, maybe Dudley will?
It’s shocking how few 3s Phoenix attempted last year. They were down in most games. If they really wanted to win, wouldn’t a few YOLO 3s late in games be a great way to try to keep a game competitive. Everybody’s down with the 3-ball now, guys!
Going after a Kyle Korver or a J.J. Redick in free agency doesn’t make sense since Dudley is already that veteran jump-shooter coming off the bench. Frankly, the Suns are missing Mirza Teletovic from a year ago. Perhaps the Suns should go with a slightly younger rotational wing that can shoot like a Luke Babbitt or a Bojan Bogdanovic in free agency? You can never have enough shooters.