The Phoenix Suns’ need for more quality veterans on the roster was abundantly clear throughout this season and luckily there’s free agents that can help.
Too much youth can be a bad thing which has been evident for the Phoenix Suns this season. Veterans help a team grow and it’s unfair to ask Tyson Chandler and Jared Dudley to mentor all the other players by themselves. It’s time for the Suns to be competitive and while the franchise needs to make a big splash in the draft and free agency or the trade market, adding quality veterans will help the team’s young players develop and grow a winning culture. There are several under the radar veterans that can help grow a winning culture in Phoenix.
Point Guard
Phoenix would welcome the stability at the point guard position that Devin Harris would establish with open arms. Harris is a well traveled point guard that has played at an All-Star level and has proven over his career to be able to start or come off the bench. However, at this point he’d be the Suns backup if signed by the team. He’s been a solid floor spacer recently in his career. This season, he’s shot 35.1 percent from behind the 3-point line.
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Shooting Guard
If any player in the league can help develop a team’s defensive pride, it would be Tony Allen. He made NBA second team All-Defense as recently as the 2016-2017 season and could still provide a defensive edge to the Suns. The 36-year-old Allen wouldn’t have to play that much because, Devin Booker plays the majority of minutes in a game. Allen barely played this season due to injury and being traded then waived by the Chicago Bulls, so he should be healthy and ready to contribute when next season comes. Even if he isn’t in the Suns’ rotation, his influence in the locker room would in invaluable for the club’s young core.
Small Forward
A reunion of Gerald Green and the Suns would be fun for fans. Green had the best season of his career with Phoenix and having him come back to sure up the depth on the wing would help the Suns with a playoff push next season. Green is versatile and can play multiple positions. He would also help the Suns improve their 3-point shooting percentage with his career 36.1 percent average from down town.
Power Forward
3-point shooting is a need the Suns should repair this offseason and adding stretch four Mike Scott would help fix that need. Scott is having his best season with the Washington Wizards and he’s proving to be a legit threat from down town. He can score the ball from deep which is what the Suns desperately need. The Suns’ front office should seriously consider adding the veteran stretch forward.
Center
JaVale McGee isn’t a name one would think of when adding a veteran to a developing team, however fans shouldn’t be quick to dismiss the notion of adding him. McGee has won a championship with the Golden State Warriors last season and has been a part of a winning culture. Also McGee is a high flyer that would entertain fans.
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McGee would be a nice fit to a fast pace offense the Suns should run next season. He would solidify the center position for the Suns by providing quality depth.
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The Phoenix Suns could create the ideal environment for winning if they are able to sign a couple of quality veterans. The veterans listed above aren’t the flashiest names that will be available but they could help develop a culture and provide solid play for the Suns coaching staff and young core to rely upon.