Phoenix Suns: Grading The Offseason
Overall
Had the Suns just stopped at the Tyson Chandler signing and Brandon Knight extension, they would’ve had one hell of a summer. Sure, there would’ve been a logjam at the 3 with P.J. Tucker, Marcus Morris and T.J. Warren, but the Suns would have still had a serviceable starter at power forward and a legitimate shot at ending their five-year playoff drought.
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While you can understand why the Suns made a play for LaMarcus Aldridge, and while it’s worth remembering that they did finish second in the Aldridge sweepstakes, the ultimate takeaway is that they lost that gamble.
Not only did the Suns miss out on Aldridge, but they also alienated their starting 4, who just so happened to be the team’s second leading scorer last season. With his trade value so low, there’s no chance Phoenix can move on and get equal value for Keef either, leaving the front office in a bit of a stalemate with Morris.
By adding a veteran like Chandler, locking in the team’s long-term backcourt with the Knight extension and nabbing Teletovic on a minuscule deal, the Suns addressed some big areas of need this summer. Devin Booker, Teletovic, Weems and Leuer add three-point shooting, Chandler brings leadership and Knight adds talent, playmaking and charisma for the future.
But unfortunately for McDonough, that darn Marcus Morris gamble has come back to haunt the Suns. Because when people look back on the summer of 2015, all they’ll remember is missing out on LaMarcus Aldridge and entering an ugly staring contest with Markieff Morris. Here’s hoping the core of Chandler, Bledsoe, Knight and the younger guys can prove everyone wrong.
Grade: C
Next: Drawing Up Potential Markieff Morris Trades