What Each Free Agent Addition Adds to Suns
Depth - that was the concern heading into the free agency frenzy for the Phoenix Suns.
On Friday, only five players were rostered to play for the team next season, by the late afternoon, the Suns had acquired four new players all for league veteran minimum contracts. James Jones and Mat Ishbia deserve all the praise.
Here’s what each new player brings to the 2023-24 Phoenix Suns:
F Keita Bates-Diop
Bates-Diop is a 23 year old 6’8” forward with strength and post moves to play both forward positions. The young Ohio State product is still entering the prime of his career and continuing to improve in every facet of his game.
On the offensive side of the ball last year, the San Antonio Spurs used Bates-Diop as a cutting big that finished at the rim with the athleticism he possesses. In the Sun's system, expect for Bates-Diop to have a similar role of cutting and finishing while setting picks and being involved in off ball movements to spring players like Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant.
Defensively, Bates-Diop has speed and athleticism to match up well against both power and small forwards. His 7’3” wingspan however may be his best tool. His length with his arms will make it difficult for players to attack the rim when paired alongside Deandre Ayton or Josh Okogie.
For the league minimum of $2.3 million a year, the Bates-Diop pickup will be a success, especially when Frank Vogel gets his hands on a lengthy forward with something to prove.
C Drew Eubanks
Eubanks played last year with the Portland Trail Blazers after the team extended his 10-day contract to a full term contract for the remainder of the year. Eubanks profiles as an effective rebounder with limited skill set on the offensive end. His role as a backup center to Ayton will be determined by the amount of pick and roll schemes Eubanks will run with the bench squad.
Eubank’s primary offensive involvement will be screen and rolls to the basket with many dunks underneath the hoop. His shot blocking has improved since joining the league and will likely improve as Vogel inserts his defensive mindset into the team. Off the bench, Eubanks will be a reliable role player with the ability to protect the rim on one end and finish with one hand running hook shots on the other.
C Chimezie Metu
Another 6’9” pickup for the Suns was Chimezie Metu from the Sacramento Kings. Metu’s offensive game has strengthened over the five years spent in the league and shows effort on the defensive end at times.
Metu is an athletic center/ forward that can make shots within 15 feet from the basket and has nice touch on turnaround shots. His primary weaponry is going to be from lobs at the rim as Metu has an athletic frame conducive with dunks and difficult finishes. His 36 inch vertical pairs nicely with his 7’0” wingspan.
Metu’s role on the Suns will be a rim running big with flashy alley-oop plays and potential for rebounds. His size and length will be taken advantage of by Vogel to try and make Metu a better rim protector and defensive rebounder. Expect Metu to slot in as the third center behind Ayton and Bates-Diop now that Jock Landale is no longer a Sun.
F Yuta Watanabe
The Japanese born player is one of three in NBA history, and the second in Phoenix Suns franchise history. Watanabe was a high end free agent signing for many teams, and the reunion with Kevin Durant was a major factor in the Suns adding the two-way swingman.
Watanabe is a sharpshooting wing that shot an highly efficient 49% from the field, including a notable 44% from the three-point arc. The left handed shooter is 6 '9 " and has a clean stroke to compliment his size. This makes him a mismatch on the offensive end as a spot up shooter with the ability to also finish at the rim with either hand.
Watanabe also has defensive instincts that have carried the former Athletic 10 Conference defensive player of the year so far in his NBA career. Averaging 16 minutes a game last year in Brooklyn, Watanabe has continued to improve on both sides of the ball and will be an effective role player if he continues to shoot at a high efficiency rate for Phoenix.
