Current, Former Suns Deemed Underrated NBA Free Agent Signings
The NBA's initial rush of free agency is over, and the Phoenix Suns were one of a handful of teams to make hefty splashes once things got underway,
The Suns were able to bring on strong veteran players on minimum contracts to help fill out a roster to support starters such as Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Deandre Ayton.
Phoenix found themselves backed against a wall due to the luxury tax, but days into free agency, the Suns were able to string together a strong class of Eric Gordon, Yuta Watanabe, Keita Bates-Diop, Drew Eubanks and Chimezie Metu.
Length. Shooting. Depth. The Suns needed all three, and that's exactly what they got.
Watanabe especially was considered one of the top names in Phoenix's pursuit for those reasons. In Sports Illustrated's list of most underrated free agent signings, Durant's former teammate made the cut.
"It wouldn’t be surprising if the Suns—looking to make Kevin Durant more comfortable after an abrupt, trial-by-fire postseason this past year—brought in Watanabe in part because of how excellent he was alongside Durant in 2022–23," wrote Chris Herring.
"That isn’t meant to sell Watanabe short. After all, the 28-year-old shot 44% from three and 49% overall, meaning he was a sharpshooter far more often than not. But league data shows that he was even better when playing off Durant, shooting 66.7% (8-for-12) from deep and 66.7% overall (14-for-21) after catching an offering from the longtime superstar. He also shot 51.4% from three when spotting up from the corners, meaning defenses won’t be able to leave him even if Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal are on the court and drawing defenders."
The Suns were able to gain plenty of talent, though that meant losing some familiar faces in the process. Center Jock Landale was handsomely paid by the Houston Rockets on a four-year, $32 million deal.
He too made the cut of underrated NBA free agent signings.
"With Fred VanVleet signing to the tune of $43-plus million per season and controversial wing Dillon Brooks joining the club at $20 million a year, Landale is naturally going to fall further down the list of Rockets’ players who get discussed. Yet the 27-year-old center is an interesting gamble, especially with only the first year of his four-year, $32 million deal fully guaranteed," said Herring.
"Landale was productive last season with the Suns, putting up 6.6 points and 4.1 boards in just 14 minutes per night. His motor and nose for the ball often stood out on both ends of the floor. Though the Suns lacked the depth to beat the Nuggets in the second round, Landale played well in the series, logging a positive plus-minus in five of the six games and finishing with a playoff career-best 13 points to go with five boards in the finale. Following the series, he spoke on the challenge of defending Nikola Jokić, explaining at length the nuances involved in trying to stop him. Though he ultimately couldn’t, his insight and attention to detail showcased how serious he is about his craft, something that will benefit a young Houston team that needs more of that."
