Meet your NEW Phoenix Suns

Kelly Oubre Jr.

In a surprising turn of fates, James Jones was able to turn an overpaid, disgruntled veteran in Trevor Ariza, into a young, energetic, two-way player in Kelly Oubre, who might not be a starter long-term, but also might not need to be with T.J. Warren ahead of him in the depth chart.

I have long longed  for the Phoenix Suns to be a playoff team – as we all have – and have spoken in the past about the importance of depth and role players on playoff rosters. To my pleasure, even throughout all the recent losing, the Suns have been able to acquire young, developable depth that many playoff teams would love to have on their rosters.

So then, why shouldn’t Phoenix attempt to keep those players as they pursue star talent?

It appears that the Suns might actually be one legitimate piece (likely a point guard), or at least two good players (a point guard and a power forward) away from being true playoff competitors.

It is impossible to ignore the work that Warren, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton are putting in as the core of a strong team.

If James Jones (or whoever is general manager) is able to find that extra star player, why shouldn’t Kelly Oubre be at the heart of the bench unit, the Bruce Bowen or Robert Horry-type that is the kind of player every playoff team dreams of having?

He should, and I believe that he will.