Valley of the Suns
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As free agency lulls, the Suns must shift focus

By Dan Volpone

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 4: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns and Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers talk after the game on December 4, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 4: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns and Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers talk after the game on December 4, 2017 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Phoenix Suns didn’t add any long-term assets in free agency, but there are other, smarter ways they can go about adding pieces for the future.

The Suns disappointed a lot of people in free agency. While they added Trevor Ariza on a one year deal, they didn’t bring in anyone who will be with the team long-term. And now that free agency has come to a lull, it seems unlikely the team will sign another significant piece before the start of the regular season.

Fortunately, there are avenues other than free agency and trades that can help a team accumulate assets. And a big one is going on right now. The Suns should be doing intense scouting around the Summer League to find a player to take a chance on.

Summer rosters are often filled with raw prospects who have low probabilities of becoming quality NBA players. A lot of them are undrafted and won’t make a roster regardless of how well they play. That type of player is who the Suns should be looking at.

A longshot from the Summer League would get a small, team-friendly contract. And if he doesn’t pan out, the Phoenix Suns can replace him with another potential contributor by taking advantage of ten day contracts. There are G-League players readily available to be signed, and there are plenty of success stories to inspire confidence in that process.

By the end of the season, the Suns can bring in five to ten young players who fit whatever style of play they hope to add to the team. With careful scouting, the odds are pretty high they can find at least one sleeper prospect good enough to fit with the team going forward. And best of all, they would be signed to a contract that doesn’t affect the Suns’ ability to pursue free agents going forward.

Next: With a max deal, Devin Booker must be an All-Star

The Phoenix Suns were smart to not commit to any free agents long-term, but they should still be trying to add assets. They just need to look in a different place.

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