Suns’ free-agent targets in playoffs
The 2019 NBA playoff matchups are set — and the Phoenix Suns aren’t a part of it.
Again.
Having not made the playoffs since 2010, the Suns (19-63) could land the No. 1 pick for a second consecutive year, but can address their needs at point guard and power forward when free agency begins July 1.
Here are 16 players in the playoffs Phoenix should have on its summer target list.
(3) 76ers vs. (6) Nets
FAs to watch: PF Tobias Harris (unrestricted), PG D’Angelo Russell (restricted)
How Harris fits with Phoenix: His ability to shoot the 3 (43.4% in 55 games with Los Angeles) at the four would give Phoenix a much-needed deep threat.
The Suns finished last in the NBA in 3-point shooting (32.9%), but Harris is a versatile offensive player. He can put it on the floor to hit the pull-up jumper or finish above the rim. He moves well without the ball, too.
At 6-foot-9, 235 pounds, Harris has the size to compete on the glass and is averaging 7.9 rebounds per game. Deandre Ayton led Suns in rebounding at 10.3 per game, but Kelly Oubre Jr. was second with a distant 4.9.
Harris can help in that area, too. How Russell fits with Phoenix: For starters, Russell and Devin Booker are the best of friends.
That should result in instant backcourt chemistry — and productivity — between the two.
Second, Russell has improved his playmaking. He’s gone from averaging 3.3 assists per game as a rookie with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015-16 to seven a game this season and even earned his first All-Star nod.
He’d clearly free up Booker to play the natural two, but Russell can also take the challenge of guarding the best perimeter player and take scoring pressure off Phoenix's franchise player. Russell averaged a career-high 21.1 points per game this season.
(2) Raptors vs. (7) Magic
FAs to watch: SG Danny Green (unrestricted) SF Terrence Ross (unrestricted) are two to target if say Oubre, a restricted free agent, ends up with another team.
How Green fits with Phoenix: He's a catch-and-shoot 3-point specialist. Green shot a career-best 45.5% from 3 this season, but he has enough handle to create a shot.
Again, the Suns need help behind the arc. Green is used to playing off the ball, has size (6-foot-6, 215 pounds) and can defend.
He’d give Phoenix a necessary boost in its perimeter defense. Suns finished next-to-last in defensive rating this season after finishing last the prior season.
How Ross fits with Phoenix: Explosive scorer. Ross had four 30-point games and 16 20-point games this season.
At 6-7, 206, he has the length and athleticism that blends with Phoenix’s roster. Can play the two or three. Competitive player.
Only averaged 1.7 assists, though, so he’s not a playmaker for others, but can get his and shined coming off the bench. Could have that same role with Phoenix.
(1) Warriors vs. (8) Clippers
FAs to watch: SF Kevin Durant (player option) PG Patrick Beverley (unrestricted).
How Durant fits with Phoenix: He’s freaking Kevin Durant, perhaps the game’s best player today.
Durant fits in anywhere he wants. With him, put Phoenix in the 2020 playoffs right now.
Now, it’d take the miracle of all miracles for him to end up in the desert, but he has spoken highly of the youthful Suns. Phoenix, at a minimum, should at least see if there’s interest.
How Beverley fits with Phoenix: He’s the NBA’s junkyard dog.
Competitive. Physical. Relentless, pesky defender. Players hate playing against him, but love playing with him.
Beverley would set a tough, winning mentality in the locker room. Averages only 3.8 assists, but he’s a pretty darn good 3-point shooter. He hit 39.7 percent from distance and would get open looks in Phoenix.
(2) Nuggets vs. (7) Spurs
FAs to watch: PF Trey Lyles (restricted), SF Dante Cunningham (unrestricted).
How Lyles fits in Phoenix. Lyles played with Booker in Kentucky when the Wildcats went 38-1.
That helps.
He hasn’t shined so much in Denver, but he’s only played 17.5 minutes a game in his four seasons there. His shooting took a dip from last season (49.1% overall, 38.1% from 3) to this season (41.8%/ 25.5%).
Still, he’s 6-10, 234, and is talented. Maybe he just needs a fresh start with a new team.
How Cunningham fits in Phoenix: He's experienced. He’s in his 11th season and the Suns need veterans. He's also a good, versatile defender.
Cunningham can play the four and understands his role. He's a solid backup who can contribute, especially if Suns lose reserve big Richaun Holmes to free agency.
(4) Celtics vs. (5) Pacers
FAs to watch: PG Terry Rozier (restricted), PG Darren Collison (unrestricted)
How Rozier fits with Phoenix: He’s hungry to start in this league. He’d mesh well with the youthful Suns.
Rozier elevated his game in last year’s playoffs when Kyrie Irving was injured. He averaged 16.5 points and 5.3 assists per game, but Rozier didn’t deliver in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavaliers.
Playmaking isn't his strong suit, but Phoenix needs more of a distributor. Rozier is a gritty player who can get buckets.
How Collison fits with Phoenix: His ability to push the ball would create even more transition opportunities for Phoenix.
The Suns finished tied with Atlanta for eighth in the league in fast-break points at 15.2 per game. That number could get even higher with the speedy Collison, who averaged six assists per game.
He’s in his10th NBA season and Collison would bring experience at the Suns' greatest position of need.
He can score, too. Collison is averaging 12.5 points per game and is a career 39.4% from 3.
(3) Trail Blazers vs. (6) Thunder
FAs to watch: PG Seth Curry (unrestricted), Patrick Patterson (player option)
How Curry fits with Phoenix: brother, like little brother.
Seth Curry isn’t as prolific a scorer as his big brother, Stephen, but he’s as good a knockdown shooter as it gets.
Seth Curry is third in the NBA in 3point shooting at 45%. Stephen Curry’s Like fourth at 43.7 percent.
The Suns finished last in the league in 3-point shooting at 32.9%. They’ll likely lose Troy Daniels to free agency. Seth Curry is that off-the-bench, greenlight shooter.
How Patterson fits with Phoenix: He’s a stretch four who, at 6-foot-9, 230, battles on the glass.
Markieff Morris is better and he's an unrestricted free agent, but could a marriage with Phoenix work better a second time around?
Patterson’s days as a starter are gone, but the 30-year-old is in his ninth season. Phoenix must consider the possibility of losing Holmes to free agency.
Patterson is not nearly as athletic, but he’s a decent post defender. He shot 33.6% from 3 this season.
(1) Bucks vs. (8) Pistons
FAs to watch: PF Nikola Mirotic (unrestricted), PG Ish Smith (unrestricted)
How Mirotic fits with Phoenix: He's a big guy who can shoot from 3 and rebound.
At 6-foot-10, 250 pound, Mirotic could start at the four. He’s a career 35.9% shooter from three and has averaged more than seven rebounds per game over an entire season twice in his career. Mirotic has a career average of 12.3 points per game.
He's far from being a lockdown defender, but has a good feel for the game. Mirotic’s just in his fifth season. The 28year-old would be a good, experienced player for a young team.
How Smith fits with Phoenix: Like Morris, Smith has been in the desert before, but just for one season. He’s greatly improved since 2013-14. He's not a starter, but he could be a solid contributor.
He pushes the ball, he competes and is a capable scorer.
(4) Rockets vs. (5) Jazz
FAs to watch: PF Kenneth Faried (unrestricted), PG Ricky Rubio (unrestricted)
How Faried fits with Phoenix: Former Suns Gerald Green and Danuel House are free agents, as is Austin Rivers, who was part of the Oubre trade with Washington. Rivers gave Phoenix the Heisman Trophy pose and eventually joined Houston.
They’re likely out of the equation, but Faried is an energy guy who plays hard, defends, rebounds (career 8.1 per game average) and can score with his effort and hustle.
Faried averaged 12.9 point per game over 25 games for Houston. He embraces his role and could be a fierce tone setter for Phoenix.
How Rubio fits with Phoenix: He’s dealing with a quad injury going into the playoffs, but Rubio can run an offense, distribute (he has a career average of 7.7 assists per game) and score a little bit.
In his eighth NBA season, Rubio averaged 12.7 points per game and is very familiar with Kokoskov. The Suns head coach worked with Utah’s point guards when he was a Jazz assistant.
He knows Rubio. Rubio knows him. Yep. That could work.