Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns Offseason Plans Part 3: Free Agency

By Adam Maynes

April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 18, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) during the first half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who Might the Suns Sign from Outside the Organization

Blake Griffin

Mar 30, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren in the fourth quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Clippers defeated the Suns 124-118. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren in the fourth quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Clippers defeated the Suns 124-118. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Blake will have plenty of suitors around the league, including his current employer, the Los Angeles Clippers. Although recently injury-prone, and not a guaranteed double-double threat every game, Griffin’s exciting, above the rim game, coupled with his efficient scoring, makes him a very attractive power forward to recruit.

However, do not get too excited about the prospect that he is the next centerpiece that the Suns will throw the bank at in hopes of signing.

For starters, Blake will be 28 when the 2017-18 season kicks off, and will be coming off of season-ending foot surgery to repair the plantar plate of his right big toe. If there is discussion that the 27-year-old Eric Bledsoe is too old and injury prone to re-sign, would that argument not be made for Blake as well only exponentially so due to how huge his new contract will be?

Granted, he would significantly improve the team immediately, and depending on what other moves the Suns made, pairing him with Devin Booker would be extremely exciting. If the Suns are able to draft Lonzo Ball and add another dynamic piece through trade, that core would be playoff worthy in 2018 for sure. But how wide would that window be open when including Blake? If Valley of the Suns fans are expecting a 20+ point and 8+ rebound per game player for the next five seasons while Booker and others are still in the midst of their prime, they may be sorely disappointed. It is probably too much to ask from a player who would be 30-33 over the final three years of a five-year contract.

We’ll see how the draft and trades all play out and whether or not there is a desire to even make a push to sign Blake Griffin. At the moment while the thought is exciting, odds are the team just isn’t close enough to make such a huge splash.

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