Phoenix Suns: 3 big questions following 2019 NBA All-Star break
2. What’s the plan for the offseason?
This is a multifaceted question, since the Phoenix Suns need to have big aspirations for both the 2019 NBA Draft and free agency.
As it stands, the Suns have the worst record in the league, giving them a 14 percent at the first overall selection as long as they finish with a bottom-three record. Even if they “fell” to the fourth-worst record, they’d still have a 12.5 percent chance at the top pick. That seems as far as they’re likely to drop, with the Atlanta Hawks still 8.5 games ahead of Phoenix in the standings.
In past years, tanking for the worst record, the highest odds at the No. 1 overall pick and the rights to draft Zion Williamson would’ve been a no-brainer. With those odds being dulled and the Suns in desperate need of positive momentum, shutting it down for the rest of the season is out of the question.
That’s especially true this year. Even in a draft class with tantalizing options like R.J. Barrett, Ja Morant, Jarrett Culver and Cameron Reddish, the Suns can’t afford to wait for another raw prospect in need of time and development. They need someone who can have an immediate impact and help this team take a significant step forward as a rookie. Zion is the only player fitting that description.
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Whether the Suns win the lottery two years in a row to get their hands on the Duke phenom or not, they’ll still have a ton of work to do in the offseason to put established talent around Devin Booker. That help will need to come in free agency, and/or on the trade market.
Trading for a star like Anthony Davis or signing a marquee name like Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard is pretty much out of the question, but landing a starting-caliber point guard and veteran talents who aren’t overpaid and over the hill should be at the top of the checklist.
The problem is, this summer’s free agency class might not bear much fruit on that front. The Suns are as unattractive as ever for prospective free agents, and their best options could be limited to the likes of Ricky Rubio, Terry Rozier (restricted), D’Angelo Russell (restricted), Cory Joseph, Patrick Beverley and Jeremy Lin. All of those pursuits come with potential obstacles, as well as potential pitfalls should the Suns actually secure their services without drastically overpaying.
It’s hard to forecast the trade front this early, with the playoffs still looming ahead, but the biggest problem is the Suns are still operating with an interim general manager and a sparse front office staff.
James Jones did well in his trade for Kelly Oubre Jr., but has little experience on this front. His staff is also severely shorthanded for all the scouting that goes into the draft and free agency process. Providing more structural stability, either by empowering Jones for good or hiring a full-time GM, while also filling out the front office, should be a top priority before a vital offseason.