Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Top 5 Suns point guard options in free agency

By Sean Humpherys

BOSTON - MARCH 24: Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (8) on this drive in the third quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden in Boston on Mar. 24, 2017. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON - MARCH 24: Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) is fouled by Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (8) on this drive in the third quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Phoenix Suns at TD Garden in Boston on Mar. 24, 2017. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
TORONTO, ON – MAY 03: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball in the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 03: Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball in the first half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Fred VanVleet

2018 Stats: 8.6 points, 3.2 assists per game in 20 minutes

Good Deal: $12 million, 1 year

With just two NBA seasons under his belt, VanVleet doesn’t offer veteran experience, but he had a great season for the Raptors this season as a sixth man. VanVleet is a great defender and a career 41 percent three point shooter. He was the best player on the Raptors bench unit and would provide great hustle playing for the Suns.

The Raptors will want to keep VanVleet but are already paying Lowry, Derozan, and Ibaka big contracts, leaving them with little flexibility to match offers from other teams. The Suns will likely need to offer him a pretty big contract to be able to pry him away from The North for next season.

If McDonough decides to pay up for VanVleet, he will be adding a solid young player who only turned 24 in February. He doesn’t have the experience that the Suns want to bring in, but he can be a long term piece because of his age.

His one year deal would preserve flexibility for the Suns going into 2019. He would be a temporary fix with long term potential if he decided to resign a year later. VanVleet has probably almost reached his ceiling but could be the Suns starting point guard for a long time. He’s similar to what everyone hopes Okobo will become, so why not grab the sure thing now?

Home/Suns News