NBA Free Agency 2020: 5 teams with the most to gain

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3. Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns got off to a surprising 6-3 start this season, but they quickly came back to earth when 2018 No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton missed 30 of the first 32 games because of a suspension and an ankle sprain. Although they’ll be headed to Orlando to compete for a playoff spot, they’re a long shot at six games behind the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies.

While the Suns are likely heading toward their 10th straight season without a playoff appearance, they could be back in that mix as early as next year.

With Ayton, All-Star guard Devin Booker, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Mikal Bridges, the Suns have one of the more intriguing young cores in the league. Throw in veteran point guard Ricky Rubio, who proved to be a stabilizing force after signing with Phoenix last summer, and they aren’t far away from assembling a legitimately competitive roster.

The Suns also project to be one of the few teams with significant available cap space this offseason, provided they don’t immediately re-sign restricted free agent Dario Saric. If the Miami Heat prefer to keep their powder dry for a potential run at Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021, Phoenix may be the lone team that can offer veterans both a hefty payday and the chance to make the playoffs next season.

If the Suns decline Frank Kaminsky’s $5.0 million team option and allow Saric and/or Aron Baynes to walk in free agency, they’ll likely need to secure frontcourt reinforcements. Luckily, that’s where this year’s free-agent class is deepest, whether it’s veterans such as Paul Millsap, Serge Ibaka and Danilo Gallinari or intriguing 20-somethings like Davis Bertans, Montrezl Harrell and Christian Wood.

The Suns will need to zero in on the right fits between Booker and Ayton, but they should have plenty of options from which to choose in free agency.

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