The Phoenix Suns should capitalize on Anthony Davis talks
With Anthony Davis being the hottest name on the market, the Phoenix Suns should try to get in on any talk and improve the team.
The Phoenix Suns are far from acquiring a talent like Anthony Davis. That should go without saying. The team is plagued by constant losing and by not being in a huge market like Los Angeles or New York. However, there’s ways to capitalize on the talks dominating the NBA landscape.
With Davis announcing his intentions to leave New Orleans, the Pelicans are put in a terrible spot. They’re left with a mediocre roster in the jungle that is the Western Conference, with nothing but beads and Mardi Gras to attract free agents. Their spending habits are that of a college student on payday. Their wing depth is non-existent. There isn’t much on the horizon for the future Seattle (possibly) franchise. Winter is coming, and a rebuild with it. As a result, there are two guards the Suns should look to poach.
Embrace the Ball Brand
Enter the Los Angeles Lakers. Yes, the Lakers did just pull out of trade talks. Yet, similar to someone recently out of a breakup, they’ll be back. Their front office will be crying into a tub of ice cream, eyes flickering from Anthony Davis highlight videos to the phone, waiting for a call.
Phoenix Suns
Eventually, Los Angeles will pick up the phone and that will most likely happen this summer. In that chat, Lonzo Ball will be mentioned. Though, with established point guards in Jrue Holiday (we’ll get to him later) and Elfrid Payton (I use “established” loosely), Lonzo wants to go elsewhere. The Pelicans are in desperate need of wings. The Suns have a plethora of such young talent and no primary ball handler. See where I’m going here?
Lonzo just turned the ripe old age of 21-years-old. He’s a year and a half into his career, though talked about as much as a 20-year veteran. Lonzo is about as polarizing a prospect as the NBA has had in recent memory. He still has so much room to grow. His defenders are fierce, his opposition worse. Most of the hate is thanks to his father, unjust for a 21-year-old. But the Suns need to look past that, or I guess embrace it. This is a young piece that would fit right in.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m in Lonzo’s camp. He is a ludicrously talented, 6-foot-6 point guard. He is a savant with the basketball, playing 4-D chess thanks to his IQ. His size, length, and athleticism give him the tools to be a great defender at the guard position. His shot is questioned a ton for a guy shooting 33% from beyond the arc (higher than Devin Booker)on almost five attempts per game. He’s an all around point that could run a franchise for a long time.
Lonzo is exactly who the Suns need. Booker has shown flashes as a playmaker but is best used off the ball. Deandre Ayton could use a pick and roll partner that sees the game on multiple levels (Nash and Amar’e?). Surrounded by 3-and-D wings that can space the floor, Ball would have a lot of room to work with.
He’s been stuck on teams with Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Rajon Rondo, and LeBron James. All are best with the ball in their hands, shackling the UCLA Lonzo Ball that everyone was salivating at the thought of seeing. Release the best version of Lonzo with floor spacers and a 7-foot pick and roll monster. Let the man go to work!
In addition to his offensive genius, Lonzo would be the perfect guard next to Booker. The Suns’ shooting guard is a defensive sieve. Lonzo could lock down the opposing guard and provide much needed defense on the perimeter. Add in the offensive fit and the growth trajectory of the rest of the team, and the Lakers point guard could be a perfect piece for Phoenix given the right price.
Speaking of price, I wouldn’t be surprised if it would take a first round pick and one of the wings. I’d be comfortable giving up the Bucks pick (as late a first as it gets) and dealing from the wing position is dealing from a position of strength. There isn’t enough room in the rotation for Jackson, Bridges, Warren, and Oubre to all get the meaningful minutes they need.
Ideally, the Suns keep Bridges and Jackson (recency bias! ask me tomorrow night!) and take on the future with a strong young core. Or, Phoenix takes advantage of young players on light contracts and goes after the big fish.