Five NBA Free Agents Who Can Help The Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns were the third youngest team in the NBA last year behind only the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland Trail Blazers and tied with the Orlando Magic. The average age of the Phoenix Suns’ players is 25.5 years old.
This can be viewed as a good thing as the team certainly won’t lack athleticism. However, it can also be viewed as a bad thing because they will lack maturity and leadership. At one point last season, the Suns trotted out a starting lineup with an average age of 21 years, 14 days, the youngest in NBA history. It was also younger than all but one team in the NCAA Elite Eight last year.
Granted, the team has Tyson Chandler and Jared Dudley, two guys who have been around the league and can teach the youngsters like Devin Booker, Marquese Chriss, and draft pick Josh Jackson the ways of the league. What other veterans are available through free agency that the Suns could target?
Phoenix only has three free agents this summer in Ronnie Price, Alan Williams, and Alex Len. Williams and Len are both restricted but Len is the only one I see coach Earl Watson and general manager Ryan McDonough pushing hard to keep. They could also waive Leandro Barbosa and/or Derrick Jones, Jr., both of whom have non-guaranteed deals, should they want to free up another roster spot. Let’s take a look at who is available.
J.J. Redick
Not only is Redick, by all accounts, a great locker room presence, but he gives the team a reliable three point shooter. Despite being loaded with shooters, and respectable percentages from Dudley (.379) and Booker (.363) last year, the team was 27th from behind the arc at 33.2%. Redick meanwhile shot 42.9% last year, fifth best in the league.
P.J. Tucker
Tucker was a fan favorite during his time in Phoenix for his hustle and grit. He’s a tough, hard-nosed player without being dirty. He’s an energy player who grabs rebounds, plays defense, and dives on the floor for loose balls. He’s not a guy who will fill up the stat sheet, but he’s a guy who will do the dirty work and lead by example. He also fills a team need, as the Suns’ lack depth at the small forward position.
Randy Foye
On the court, I’m not sure how much Randy Foye is going to do for you in 2018. Last year with Brooklyn, he only scored five points per game on 33% shooting. His real value is off the court. He was brought in by the Nets to provide leadership. “Just try to grab guys after workouts and say, ‘hey let’s shoot some more,’ or do ball-handling drills, or play today. Or if we’re doing sprints or whatever we’re doing and we’re dead tired, let’s do one more or two more. More than anything, I’m trying to be a leader and lead by example,” Foye said last summer.
Tony Allen
You can’t talk about grinder-type players without mentioning Allen. He invented the “grit ’n’ grind” style in Memphis. He was voted the Grizzlies’ best teammate by the NBA Players Association in 2016. For that reason, not to mention he’s a defensive Jedi, it’s unlikely “The Grindfather” leaves. However, if the Suns have any chance to get him, they should definitely inquire.
Jason Terry
I have no idea if Jason Terry plans to play another NBA season. The guy will be 40 years old by the time next season starts, but he doesn’t seem to show signs of slowing down. While he only played eighteen minutes a game last year with Milwaukee, that’s actually up from the previous year. He’s little more than a spot up shooter at this point, but he did shoot 42.7% from downtown. I also think he’s got a future as an NBA coach and it wouldn’t hurt the Suns help him make that transition.
