Phoenix Suns: 3 reasons signing Trevor Ariza was a good move
1. Ariza addresses Suns’ specific needs
Whether he’s a one-year boost to make the Suns more competitive or sticks around for a few more seasons after that, Trevor Ariza directly addresses some of this team’s biggest needs.
As a former NBA champion with tons of playoff experience, he’ll be a great presence in the locker room for Phoenix’s young wings. Unlike Chandler and Dudley though, the on-court wisdom he’ll bring to the table will help teach these youngsters firsthand what it takes to win games. That kind of on-court influence is something the Suns have lacked for awhile.
Guess who Mikal Bridges compared himself to when he spoke with some media after his introductory press conference? Trevor Ariza. Now, he gets to learn the ins and outs of the league from someone he grew up modeling his game after.
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 1, 2018
In terms of his actual skill-set, Ariza hasn’t quite been lights out from 3-point range over the last two seasons, shooting 34.4 percent from deep in 2016-17 and 36.8 percent last year. However, he was taking 6.9 3s per game during that time, and even his 36.8 percent clip would’ve ranked third on last year’s Suns team, which finished dead-last in 3-point percentage.
On the defensive side of the ball, though he’s 33 years old now, Ariza’s versatility and wing pressure will be a huge boon to the NBA’s worst defense. He’ll help cover for Booker on the perimeter, and smaller lineups containing Book, Ariza, Jackson and Bridges could be potent on both ends.
Too often last year, the Suns suffered from terrible spacing, putting even more pressure on Booker to try and carry a lifeless offense — sometimes even as the de facto point guard. Ariza will help open up the floor a bit more, giving Booker, Knight and Okobo lanes to drive and create for others.
More reaction to Trevor Ariza signing with PHX...
— Jon Bloom (@JonBloom) July 1, 2018
"He's got respect, total respect in that locker room and it's hard to replace a guy like that"
David Aldridge on NBATV
"And that's why it's such a huge positive for Phoenix"
David Griffin on NBATV
It’ll be a challenge for a player used to competing for the playoffs to join a work-in-progress like the Suns, especially going from last year’s best regular season team that won 65 games to the NBA’s worst squad that only won 21 times. Therein lies the beauty of Ariza’s professionalism (and the reason the Suns had to pony up $15 million to snag him).
Next. 2018 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far. dark
From 3-point shooting to defense to being a veteran leader who can actually teach the youngsters on the court instead of just in the locker room, Trevor Ariza checks off quite a few boxes. He’s not the star point guard or power forward upgrade many were expecting, but this is still a solid investment for the Phoenix Suns.