Phoenix Suns (odds unknown)
I don't agree on either... but OK. My comment is simply, how are the Suns and their future any different from the Lakers and 76ers, which everyone wants to buy in a heartbeat, yet dismiss Phoenix. All three are young-core driven teams. https://t.co/FXeOMrJooz
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 8, 2018
I am taking no sides at all --- I am simply telling you I spoke with executives YESTERDAY!!!! That said they felt if LeBron went shopping not to count out the Suns. That's all... you guys are taking it elsewhere in your "you must love 76ers or else" fandom. https://t.co/ge17G4ovNo
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 8, 2018
We have finally reached the Phoenix Suns.
If Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough has a seat at LeBron James’ free agency table, he will give similar pitches as the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers. His argument will center around youth, athleticism, cap space, and the ability to bring in Paul George to pair with LeBron and the current Suns core.
The two things that hold up the Suns’ offer from immediately vaulting to the top of the speculative list is the proximity to Los Angeles (even though a flight is less than 90 minutes, the Lakers are actually in LA), and the fact that the Philadelphia 76ers have already been to the playoffs and won a round.
Sure, if LeBron comes to Phoenix he’ll have comparable talent all the way around with Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, and DeAndre Ayton, plus the cap space to acquire Paul George without gutting the young star’s core. But the team overall will have to learn how to win on the fly, something (as discussed before with the Lakers) LeBron might not want to put up with.
Winning would undoubtedly be easy enough in the regular season, but as Phoenix climbs their way through the early stages of the Western Conference playoffs, they would still have to face off against the Golden State Warriors for the first time in a playoff series. At that point, is LeBron willing to carry the young Suns on his back while they work to get over being awestruck at the circumstances and learn how to overcome adversity when they hit trouble for the first time?
Granted, the addition of Paul George does help as he has been to the playoffs seven times and into the Conference Finals twice in 2013 and ’14 (losing each time to the LeBron-led Miami Heat), but are two players who have been there enough to help offset the lack of NBA winning experience that Booker, Jackson, Ayton, Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, yadda, yadda, yadda, have never had?
There is also the fact that the Suns and Warriors face each other four times during the regular season. What if Golden State still dominates the Suns? Would the young Suns have the mental fortitude to enter the Conference Finals against the Warriors and truly believe that they can still win it?
What if the Suns dominate – or at least play very well, maybe splitting the season series – the season series, but then lose game one of the playoff series. Will they be able to get off of the mat?
I will submit this though: the 2017-18 Phoenix Suns was better than the 2017-18 Cleveland Cavaliers sans LeBron James.
Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker is also not a slouch and his off-the-charts maturity and deep desire to win must be taken into account when considering how at least he might react in such a possible pressure-packed playoff series. If Paul George is brought along, James, George, and Booker, as well as a couple of depth, and leadership providing additional strategic seasoned veteran acquisitions could all be enough to help compete against and overtake Houston, Golden State, and Boston.
There is also one additional asset the Suns have that no other team doe: James Jones.
James Jones is one of LeBron’s best friends. He is highly respected, very professional, and has the ear of many potential free agents should he call on them.
The fact that Jones is on the Suns’ payroll means that there is a better than not chance that LeBron is willing to at least sit and listen to a pitch.
If LeBron begins to lean, the two of them could then work together to pull in the desired free agents (or trade partners) who would best fit around LeBron and the young core.
A free agent’s phone ringing with either of their number popping up on the screen will garner interest.
But a phone call with both James’ numbers showing up, and that player will likely be very excited.
This is the Summer of LeBron James; where will he go?
Next: Imagine a DeAndre Ayton and Dragan Bender frontcourt: fire