Phoenix Suns Free Agency: Power Forward Options

The Phoenix Suns free agency moves of recent years have frankly not worked.

Power forward will be a big area of concern for the Suns this offseason, and they will need to make at least two signings at the position. These signing could shape the position for the Suns next 4 years.

Although the Suns received relatively strong production at the position last year, their top two power forwards are free agents in the 2016 offseason.

Mirza Teletovic potentially earned a big pay increase after making 181 three pointers and shooting a career best .393% from deep.

Jon Leuer is the other Suns power forward heading into free agency, and I’ve already discuss Leuer’s growth in detail here. Leuer has the makings of a true stretch 4 that is ready to grow into a consistent contributor. Per minute, Leuer put a very rare combination of three-point shooting and rebounding. Leuer is also slightly taller and generally rates as a better defender than Teletovic.

Given the relative success of this duo last season, the Suns have tough choices to make. With Teletovic and Leuer back, the Suns could have the best 3 point shooting power forwards in the league.

A potential issue could be the cost for Mirza Teletovic. If he is going to cap out on the Suns as a gunner off the bench, he cannot make starter money. He is simply not the long term solution at power forward.

That is the wildcard of the expanding salary cap. If a team falls in love with Teletovic’s game, the Suns must let him go.

Note that the Suns actions in free agency could change considerably depending on the NBA Lottery. If the Suns move up to number 2 and are in position to take Ben Simmons, their free agency moves won’t mean a thing. The below contract information is from HoopsHype.

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Some of the big names clearly won’t end up on the Suns. Pau Gasol (player option) is too old and looking to win now. Dirk Nowitzki is staying with the Mavericks.

There is another tier that simply doesn’t fit with the Suns. David West, Jordan Hill, Brandon Bass and David Lee all fit the mold of players too far into their careers with not enough remaining value to fit the Suns rebuild.

Ryan Anderson (unrestricted) is 3 years younger than Teletovic, but doesn’t offer enough upside to justify signing him over Teletovic – they’re very similar players. Anderson already made 8.5 million last year, and is sure to receive a larger contract than Teletovic. Anderson is a poor defender and an average rebounder. Suns should pass here given the likely cost.

Ersan Ilyasova has a team option, but fits into the same spot as Ryan Anderson, in that his game is similar to Mirza Teletovic. Although Ilyasova is only 28, he has played far more minutes in the NBA than Teletovic, as Ilyasova went to the NBA at 19. If Ilyasova is available, the Suns should pass.