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Suns Column: Ryan McDonough’s Plan Unorthodox, But Trustworthy

By Gerald Bourguet

Jun. 5, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough talks to the media after pre-draft workout. Mandatory Credit: Gerald Bourguet-Valley of the Suns
Jun. 5, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough talks to the media after pre-draft workout. Mandatory Credit: Gerald Bourguet-Valley of the Suns /
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Ryan McDonough
November 13, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mirza Teletovic (33) looks on during the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Nets 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Minor additions like Jon Leuer, Sonny Weems, Ronnie Price and even Mirza Teletovic might not move the needle for some, but McDonough has addressed areas of need all summer long, and he’s done a pretty remarkable job considering the crop of free agents available after Aldridge was off the board.

Other than missing out on Aldridge, Price might be the most regrettable Suns-related move of the summer, with some fans yearning for an Ish Smith return in the backup point guard department. But if the difference between Smith and Price ended up being Teletovic, then it was more than worth it.

(And if you’re really upset about Price, consider your rage is being directed at a backup point guard whose one-year deal is only meant to round out the roster until Phoenix pursues more high-impact free agents next summer, which, thanks to that trade with the Detroit Pistons, will see the Suns with more cap space in the future.)

The Suns needed to get tougher in the paint and on the glass; they now have Tyson Chandler and Alex Len holding down the fort at the center position. They needed depth at power forward; they got Teletovic to spread the floor as a stretch-4 behind Keef. They needed shooting to open up the lane for Bledsoe and Knight; they added Booker, Teletovic and Weems.

They needed a backup point guard to run the offense with poise; they got Price to give Knight or Bledsoe a breather. They needed veteran leadership for the locker room; they brought in Chandler. No, those aren’t the sexy moves that will push the Suns into contender territory. But they are the moves that will have Phoenix contending for a playoff spot in 2015-16 to end the postseason drought.

Next: What's To Come

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