5-on-5: Can The Suns Grab LaMarcus Aldridge?
2. If the Suns do get Aldridge, where does that put them in the Western Conference picture?
Bourguet: If the Suns somehow got Aldridge, it would elevate them to the middle of the pack in the West. They’d be a playoff team, but they wouldn’t be contending for a title. The Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers aren’t going anywhere. The Spurs never seem to die. The Memphis Grizzlies could easily be back if they hold on to Marc Gasol and the New Orleans Pelicans are only going to get better. The West is still loaded, so although LMA would be a nice addition, it wouldn’t push the Suns to where they ultimately want to go.
Chasen: Well theoretically, the Suns would still have a hole at the three position, but the Aldridge signing would put them ahead of Portland (obviously without Aldridge), Dallas and maybe some other teams. If Marc Gasol left, or if the Grizzlies hit a wall with the age of Randolph, then they could jump above them. It’s the same thing with Dwight Howard hitting a wall in Houston, because Harden can only do so much for so long. So I think for sure it would make them a playoff team, and probably put them in the top-5.
Hann: Even if hell did somehow freeze over and this miracle were to happen, I don’t even believe it makes them a lock to make the playoffs. The Western Conference is ridiculously loaded (said everyone everywhere) and even if say, Dallas and New Orleans were to miss the playoffs next season, which would open the door for two new teams. Can you definitively say the Suns, with a Lamarcus Aldridge, are better than the Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz or even the Sacramento Kings (if they would ever get a point guard). Having said this, Aldridge would be the exact player and big-name addition that Phoenix desperately needs.
Saar: Aldridge is an upgrade over Markieff Morris at the starting power forward position. The question is how much of an upgrade? This is tough, because so much depends on other factors, including: who does Phoenix draft? Do they resign Brandon Knight or Brandan Wright? Using educated guesses I’d say the Suns draft a “non-impact player” (as of right now) and re-sign both their restricted free agents. In this scenario where they get Aldridge I’d say they’d be the 5-seed.
Harris: The addition of Aldridge would put the Suns at the back end of the Western Conference playoff race, probably the 7th or 8th spot. As these playoffs have shown, any team in the West who put up 55+ wins is a clear contender in the future. However, Dallas, OKC, New Orleans, and Portland without Aldridge would be more vulnerable, meaning Phoenix would have an opening into the playoffs. Aldridge is a regular All-Star and adding him to an average team would make them capable of making the playoffs.
Next: Question No. 3