5 Phoenix Suns goals for free agency

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PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 13: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns on December 13, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Don’t be afraid to overpay

The Suns might not be anyone’s first choice in free agency, but that doesn’t mean they can’t land a player they like. To do so, they shouldn’t be afraid to overpay.

For most teams, overpaying on a free agent can mean struggling with cap difficulties until that contract expires. But for the Suns, it could be a reasonable solution to the problem of low free agent interest.

There are two reasons this works. First, all of the team’s most important pieces are still on their rookie contracts, so the money is available to spend a little more on other players. And second, the Suns will almost certainly look to sign players to short-term deals, so an overpay wouldn’t be a long-term hinderance to cap flexibility.

The Philadelphia 76ers made similar moves last summer, and it worked out well for them. While they weren’t able to sign top free agent Gordon Hayward, they still made signings without ruining their chance of getting a star down the line. They picked up J.J. Redick and Amir Johnson on one year overpays, improving the team immediately without long-term sacrifice.

The Suns can make similar moves this summer to fill their positions of need, overpaying to get exactly who they want on one or two year contracts.

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