Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Ryan McDonough’s multiple alternatives with the re-build

By Andrew Clark

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 4: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on February 4, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 4: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on February 4, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Trust the Timeline:

PHOENIX, AZ – FEBRUARY 7: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 7, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – FEBRUARY 7: Dragan Bender #35 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 7, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Suns don’t need to freak out and dash into the above options to be competitive.  Trusting the timeline is almost certainly going to lead to competitiveness all by itself. Booker, Warren, Jackson, Chriss, and Bender are all going to continue to improve. Brandon Knight is an asset returning and the team is likely to add a really skilled top pick in the draft who will fill the void at either center or point guard. This team could be playoff ready next year simply by doing little more than changing out the coach, looking to the draft at a few key players and filling in the rest with free agency.  Something like:

  1. Sign DeMarcus Cousins and draft Tae Young, Luka Doncic, or Collin Sexton
  2. Pay Avery Bradley and draft DeAndre Ayton, Marvin Bagley, or Mohamed Bamba

Next: The Great Attraction: The Phoenix Suns and Aaron Gordon

Conclusion:

Unless the Suns can get the Magic to give up Gordon for a modest package, the Suns don’t have a lot of intuitive options going into the trade deadline and then the offseason. They’re likely best off to simply sit tight and wait to see what plays out this summer or to take a flier on a player like Mario Hezonja who might have to be moved on the cheap to make cap room for another deal. McDonough can promise Booker that he will be aggressive, and he should be, but what he really should be is smart and that will likely require a lot of unexciting inaction and patience.

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