Exit Survey: 3 offseason goals for the Phoenix Suns

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MAY 15: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns\ is introduced before Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round NBA Playoffs at Footprint Center on May 15, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3 offseason goals for the Phoenix Suns: 1. The Chris Paul question

What to do with Paul is the biggest question the Suns face this offseason. Their depth beyond the 37-year-old (Cameron Payne and Aaron Holiday) is poor, and the Suns should look to do something about this during the offseason. Here is a controversial direction the franchise could go. What about bringing Paul off the bench?

It would save his legs during the regular season, especially as he always seems to break down right when they need him most. A young point guard learning from one of the best to ever do it would be huge and could set the Suns up for when Paul is no longer around. For as good as he looked for most of the playoffs (he seemed to fall off a cliff once he turned 37), he won’t be in Phoenix for the long-term.

Paul would have to agree to this, of course, but getting him on board with this plan now could be hugely beneficial for everybody involved. How many times have we seen superstars take too long to realize that they are not the player they once were? Paul is possibly the smartest player in the entire league, so surely he must be aware that changing up his role a bit could work for him.

He would still close games and play huge playoff minutes, it would just be a plan to phase in the next floor general as the decade progresses. As it stands, the Suns don’t have a single pick in this year’s NBA Draft, so finding the next point guard won’t happen that way. Luckily for them, there is a surplus of talented guards in the league today.

Whether it is a sign-and-trade involving Ayton, or just calling a team like the Orlando Magic, who suddenly have a number of intriguing young guards, there are ways to find a successor to Paul. Doing so through a trade or free agency (don’t expect them to pay a Jalen Brunson type, though) would actually fit the timeline of Booker (who is 25) better than drafting a raw prospect, anyway. The Suns are on the clock to decide what to do with Paul, and it will decide their future.

Next. 5 potential suitors for Ayton and the Suns. dark

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