NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 targets for the Phoenix Suns

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 27: Troy Daniels #30 hi-fives Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns on March 27, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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2. Ricky Rubio

Rubio was the subject of trade rumors as the February deadline approached, including a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies for Mike Conley that reportedly nearly got done. Now heading for unrestricted free agency, and with the Jazz seeming sure to ramp up their interest in Conley again, Rubio seems sure to hit the market without much of an effort from Utah to retain him.

Rubio’s long-running shortcomings as a shooter are clearly here to stay at this point, as he barely topped 40 percent from the floor and 31 percent from beyond the arc this season. Turnovers are a bit of a thing too (2.6 per game this season), and the Spaniard also battled multiple lower-body injuries (groin, hip, hamstring) as the 2018-19 season wound down.

But Rubio is a dynamic and innately instinctive passer, with the ability to see the floor and deliver the ball to teammates in a position where they can fill the basket. The Suns were more effective offensively when pushing the pace this past season, and apart from not having to be accounted for a great threat to pull up and shoot that style will surely fit Rubio.

The breadth of Rubio’s market is hard to tab, with bigger names out there among available point guards this offseason. But there are some easy rumors pointing him toward the Suns, and there are far worse ideas that teaming him with Booker in the backcourt and giving a young core an unselfish point guard.

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