Five Free Agents Suns Should Target
One thing is for certain with new Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia running the show: Moves will be made. The gigantic acquisition of Kevin Durant proved that Ishbia is a "win now" type of owner that will put personal interest aside and focus on a winning product in Phoenix.
With yet another disastrous conclusion to the season, it would not be surprising to see Ishbia flex his muscles again and deal away players (maybe even starters) to gain a better structured roster.
The 2023 NBA offseason will be a hectic scramble yet again for Phoenix. The Suns will have five unrestricted free agents, with four of them being over 30 years old. It's safe to assume veteran presence will be lost during the offseason to some degree.
If the Suns are truly in a "win-now" mode with Durant and Devin Booker leading the charge, Phoenix could target players to compliment their games and fill the voids that could appear once Ishbia cleans up the squad.
Five free agent targets for the Suns to target:
Torrey Craig
Resigning Torrey Craig can solidify the veteran's role on the Suns team that can use a hard-nosed Craig. Craig provides plenty of defense and can provide answers for opposing guards on a nightly basis.
Not given the minutes Craig perhaps deserves, it was proven during the playoffs that Craig can be dependable on the floor and will give all he has effort wise. However, it must be taken into consideration that the Suns will run a new system with a new coach next season.
The veteran F Torrey Craig will be a nice fit in order to keep depth in Phoenix.
Craig will be entering his 11th NBA season with plenty of experience and passion to win. Craig will also be a cheap deal for the Suns. Craig made just over five million last year while playing only 24 minutes a game after being traded to Phoenix in Feb. of 2022. Craig is expected to make more money next year, but the Suns will be able to offer Craig a sweet deal as they have early bid status in his free agency.
Fred VanVleet
One of the hottest commodities in this year's trade deadline, Fred VanVleet is set to make good money and have a starting point guard role for a championship contending team.
If VanVleet is to be acquired by the Suns at the deadline, a major move must take place. Chris Paul is one of the players on the Suns roster who's future will be discussed in the offseason. Paul has one year remaining on his four year deal in Phoenix. If the Suns are looking to trade away Paul and go for a point guard at free agency, VanVleet could be the answer.
G Fred VanVleet is a guard that will be in high demand and could fit in nicely for a system looking for grit at both ends.
VanVleet averaged 19.3 pts, 7.2 ast and 4.2 reb in 69 games played last year. VanVleet is a grinder at the point guard position with some bulk as he is a physical defender. VanVleet is another max effort player that will pair alongside nicely with superstars as VanVleet can be streaky at times shooting the basketball. Giving both end of the floor attention, VanVleet is a high energy player that also isn't afraid to stir the pot with the opposition and plays beyond his 6'1" height.
Kyle Kuzma
The Suns have been flirting with Kyle Kuzma for a few years now. He is now entering his player option year with the Washington Wizards after a three year $39 million dollar deal was signed.
F Kyle Kuzma is an athletic forward possessing above average scoring ability for the position that will benefit from Durant and Booker.
Should the Suns be able to lure Kuzma to the Valley, not only will his personality be a fit for the locker room under a new head coach, his play style will benefit from stars like Durant and Booker who will have all the attention. Kuzma could settle into a truer power forward position with Durant at the small forward position. At power forward, Kuzma would have an extreme athletic advantage over others at the position and lead to another high scoring season which he has been trending towards in the past few seasons.
Max Strus
Max Strus will become an unrestricted free agent after spending three seasons in Miami and establishing himself as a sharp shooting role player. Perhaps not the flashiest pickup for the Suns this offseason, this fit makes sense if the focus is to provide Durant and Booker with shooters.
G Max Strus can be a lethal shooter for Durant and Booker as an option behind the arc.
Strus lacks effort and athleticism on the defensive end, but that's not what he's on the floor to do. If the Suns pickup Strus, his role will be to catch passes from Booker or Durant and show off his beautiful jumper. His three-point shot is what adds value to Strus' game as he's only played in a total of 189 games and will continue to grow as a player.
Seth Curry
Durant has already played with a member of the Curry family, earning two rings in the Bay as a result. Seth Curry is still an elite shooter in his own regard and for a decent price. Curry will be an unrestricted free agent earning around $8 million in his previous deal.
His fit with Booker and Durant handling the ball means Curry will have more time spent at the perimeter, something he benefitted greatly from at his time in Dallas. With Curry not handling the ball as much in Phoenix, he can hone in on his catch and shoot ability, hovering around the 45% mark from three. Again, baring a Paul trade and a change in play style under a new coach, Curry could be an underrated addition for the Suns.
