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Suns Squared: Free Agent Analytics

By Brooks Bellman

Apr 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) collide as they go for the ball during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Suns 103-90. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) collide as they go for the ball during the second half at Philips Arena. The Hawks defeated the Suns 103-90. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 16, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) controls the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss (0) in the first quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) controls the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss (0) in the first quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward is likely the prize of the free agency class this year. Multiple teams will be bidding for his services with Boston leading the charge. Hayward has earned the acclaim though as he has steadily improved over his time in Utah and is now one of the top players in the league. Hayward scores at all three levels on 47-40-84 shooting splits (FG%-3PT%-FT%), he creates for his teammates (18.2% assist rate) and does it without turning it over much (less than two per game).

Hayward’s scoring ability is the top reason for the extreme amount of interest in him and his synergy numbers prove why. Hayward ranks in the 83rd percentile or better in almost all the major scoring play types.

Play Type

Points Per Possession

Percentile

Transition

1.38

92nd

P&R Ball Handler

0.98

87th

Cut

1.44

85th

Spot Up

1.14

84th

Off Screen

1.12

83rd

Isolation

0.82

49th

Handoff

0.89

48th

Post Up

0.85

40th

Hayward’s numbers when laid out are extremely impressive and would be a boon to the Suns offense. Hayward provides a go-to scorer who will take pressure off Booker and enable them both to boost their efficiency.

Hayward will require the highest price for the Suns, unlike some of the others in this group, he is relatively young and does not have the endorsements or career earning of Griffin, Millsap or Iguodala. Hayward’s price will be steep and the Suns will have to do much more than renounce Alex Len and would likely have to dump at the very least the salary of one of Bledsoe, Knight, or Chandler.

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