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Phoenix Suns 2018 offseason plans Part 3: Free Agency

By Adam Maynes

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 30: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a three pointer during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 30, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 30: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a three pointer during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 30, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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The key to improving the Phoenix Suns’ roster right away will be through free agency, adding veteran talent to help prop up the youth movement. Here’s how they can do it.

MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 30: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a three pointer during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 30, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 30: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a three pointer during the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 30, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /

Phoenix Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough has not tinkered with the roster much over the past few years through either trade or free agency, choosing to focus on internal improvement through the draft and development of that talent through extended minutes not generally offered to players as green as the recent rosters have been.

Now that McDonough has decided that this is the summer to make dramatic improvements and even gone so far as to proclaim that he expects there to be significant roster turnover surrounding his young, core talent, free agency will be his most important weapon of choice, potentially adding significant talent at nothing more than the cost of a salary.

His first line of business will of course be to address those players already on the roster to decide whether or not they should re-sign and continue on with the rebuild. This offseason will not be wrought with tough decisions on the matter as only two key players will hit unrestricted free agency, as well as three lesser – though fan favorite – players.

Getting star talent in Phoenix via free agency will be difficult as the key players that McDonough would logically have the most interest in are not only all restricted free agents, but also highly sought after commodities making for a competitive market. McDonough will have to choose wisely which one (I can not imagine he’d be able to afford two) of those players he covets most, offer a max contract, and hope that that player’s current team doesn’t have the resources or wherewithal to match it.

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