The Phoenix Suns might have an overhaul for next season. (Image from sportsgeekery.com)
The Phoenix Suns’ offseason has officially begun. After finishing last in the West with a 25-57 record, they’re continuing in their rebuilding mode. They must be looking forward and poised to get at least a high-ranking draft pick.
Their front office is in a state of flux. Suns President Lon Babby signed a two-year extension, while Suns GM Lance Blanks was fired four days ago. Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reported Lindsey Hunter‘s job as head coach might not be safe.
So what about the current roster? As it presently stands, it’s filled with too many questions about the future of the franchise. Phoenix fans must wonder which players are staying and which are leaving. Let’s examine the possibilities by looking at with the following list:
Who’s In
Goran Dragic, PG
This reliable point guard was the Suns’ lone bright spot on the team. He led the team with 14.7 points and 7.4 assists per game. Dragic is signed through 2016 with a player option. He shouldn’t even be in trade talks unless the Suns want to go in a different direction. Dragic is staying; the organization loves him.
Morris didn’t play that much this season. Acquired from the Houstons Rockets, he scored 5.7 points and grabbed 2.5 rebounds in 23 games this season. The 23-year-old forward was signed with a hefty contract through 2015 with a team option and a qualifying offer the next year. He’s got time and youth on his side and Phoenix should keep Morris.
Marcus’ brother had better impact. He played all 82 games this season, averaging 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds. He is also signed through 2015 with a team option and a qualifying offer for 2016. His last notable game featured this Morris scoring 20, grabbing seven rebounds and recording six blocks against the Houston Rockets in a 119-112 victory on April 15. The Suns should keep Morris because he will improve and become a great player come next season.
Jared Dudley, SG/SF
The veteran swingman is a fixture on this Suns team. He averaged 10.9 points per game, shooting 46.8 percent from the field. Dudley is signed through 2016 and has a player option that year. Dudley works well with fellow guard Dragic. He may not be the caliber of an All-Star guard, but he’s a solid player making him available asset to Phoenix.
Jermaine O’Neal, PF/C
O’Neal is an unrestricted free agent who provides veteran leadership that is sorely lacking in this young Phoenix club. O’Neal had a decent year, scoring 8.3 points and grabbing 5.3 rebounds per game. He is also second among the Suns in blocks, recording 1.4 blocks a game. The Suns should offer a deal to O’Neal. They need to keep him for what he has to offer to his young teammates. These young guys have much to learn from this crafty veteran.
Luis Scola, PF/C
Scola is a streaky man who could be a force to be reckoned with. He’s second in points and rebounds per game with 12.8 and 6.6 a night, respectively. Scola struggled late this season until he finished strong with a double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds against Houston April 15. He’s signed through 2015 and the Suns should have enough faith in him and not amnesty him.
Beasley has been inconsistent in his game, not making Phoenix fans happy. His totals, like Scola’s could have been higher. He scored 10.1 points and recorded 3.8 rebounds per game. He also is signed through 2015. Beasley can still be useful to this team; expect him to stay for at least the start of next season.
The guard from North Carolina did not live up to his hefty contract this season. He’s signed through the next three seasons with team options for 2015 and 2016. His contract will increase each year from $1.9 million to nearly $3 million. The rookie only scored three points a game this season. Perhaps, he’ll get better over time; don’t expect him to go anywhere.
Shannon Brown, SG
This veteran has been all over the NBA in his career. He signed a deal through next season and will get $3.5 million for the 2013-14 season. Expect the Suns to keep Brown. The shooting guard averaged 10.5 points per game, fifth on the team. Brown is still a hustler on the court and brings that energy to the team. Brown will stay through his contract.
Who’s Out
Don’t expect Marcin Gortat to be on the Suns in the 2013-14 campaign. (Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com)
Gortat had his best year yet, scoring 11.1 points and leading the team in rebounds per game with 8.5. He’s signed through 2014, but his injured foot causes problems. Plus, according to AZCentral’s Paul Coro (via ESPN.com), Gortat was part of a trade rumor to go to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a five-player deal. If the rumors are true, Gortat could be shipped out before next season.
P.J. Tucker, SG/SF
Tucker is a hustler who scored 6.4 points per game. He’s better known for his defense. He takes the tough tasks of guarding some of the best point guards, such as the Los Angeles Lakers’ Steve Nash and Washington Wizards point guard John Wall. Tucker is signed through 2015 with a qualifying offer. However, he was also part of that deal with Gortat. If rumors are true, say goodbye and expect Tucker to be gone before the 2013-14 campaign begins.
Haddadi is a free agent for this offseason. He didn’t get much time to prove himself. In 17 games, he averaged 4.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Haddadi could be more valuable if given more time, but we’ll never know. So long, Haddadi! It’s very likely he will move elsewhere.
Wes Johnson, SG/SF
Johnson fits in well with the Suns, as he scored eight points a night in 50 games. He struggled at first, but settled down after the All-Star break. Was it enough to keep Johnson here? Probably not; despite his late surge, Johnson made little impact. He’s a free agent this season. He’ll move on to greener pastures.
Garrett was signed late this season and became a restricted free agent once the season ended. The Suns could match any offer for Garrett if other teams are interested. Are the Suns really interested in Garrett? Did he make a lasting impression in 19 games? His 2.1 points and 0.6 rebounds during those games say all you need to know. We hardly knew you, Diante Garrett.
Channing Frye, PF/C
Frye is a sad case indeed. He never quite lived up to his potential coming out of college with the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers. He’s signed through 2015, but didn’t play at all this season due to an enlarged heart. Frye wasn’t much good before the unfortunate incident. The Suns will probably try to trade him. Frye just isn’t worth the Suns’ time anymore.