NBA rumors: 5 dark horses to sign Blake Griffin if he’s bought out

3. Phoenix Suns

It’s not a perfect fit, but as their time without Dario Saric proved, the Phoenix Suns could really use some extra insurance in the frontcourt. Relying on Damian Jones in those backup 5 minutes was painful, and while Saric is back now (and Frank Kaminsky has been great playing alongside Deandre Ayton as a starter), the Suns still lack size, strength and athleticism on that back line, especially when Ayton sits.

Griffin could help in that regard, even if his arrival would strain Monty Williams’ ability to continue cranking out sensible lineups with so much depth at each position. In Phoenix’s “0.5 offense,” which is predicated on quick decision-making and ball and player movement, Griffin’s passing would be a natural fit — especially if he can shoot 3s more like the 36.2 percent he posted in his last healthy season in 2018-19, rather than the 24.3 percent and 31.5 percent he’s posted in two banged-up seasons since.

Perhaps the Suns are content with their rotation as is, because squeezing Griffin alongside Saric in the second unit might be a stretch, and at this stage of Griffin’s career, he wouldn’t provide the rim protection or reliable defense they really need. But that’d be an awful lot of intelligence and playmaking on the court, and being able to go small for stretches with either Griffin or Saric at the 5 would just unlock even more versatility for the already-versatile Suns. If Griffin and Chris Paul can bury any remaining hatchets, this potential LA Clippers reunion might be mutually beneficial.