Number One – Mike Conley
The addition of Mike Conley on this list piles on the proof that the options available to the Phoenix Suns this offseason are “lackluster.”
Like so many others, Conley in his prime would have been a wonderful long-term solution at point guard, and Phoenix arguably should have made a play for him several years ago when he was a restricted free agent as they might have been able to pry him away with a front-loaded max offer.
However, like Jackson and Teague, the reason Conley is available is irregardless of their stats last season, they are on the down slope of their careers.
Sure, any one of them could potentially put together a solid few seasons, but the problem is that for every Steve Nash out there who can play at an All-Star level at 39, there are far more Kevin Johnson‘s who hit 30 and are simply not the same as they were in their 20’s.
If Phoenix acquired Conley for their sixth overall pick (and other pieces), not only would they be trading the hopeful potential of youth for a 32-year-old, but because of Conley’s exorbitant contract (which was near-universally panned immediately after his signing), Phoenix would be stuck with this core as they would have zero wiggle room to add additional talent.
Even worse, the Suns would not only be screwed if he were to go down with a major injury again, but they would be right back where they are this offseason in 2021 when his current contract expires, needing to find a point guard and facing another rebuilding period if they can not.
Review: Anyone have any Pym particles available? If someone can take 23-year-old Mike Conley from another timeline in the universe, bring him to this one, and have the Suns sign him as a free agent, I’m in. Otherwise, no.
Brad Berreman did the best he could to find five point guards to potentially trade the Phoenix Suns’ sixth overall pick for, but as he pointed out early on, they are faced with the grim reality that good point guards are not willingly traded and that those who are potentially acquirable, are on the back end of their prime.