Five players the Suns should let walk in free agency

Phoenix Suns Dragan Bender (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns Dragan Bender (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 23: Richaun Holmes #21 of the Phoenix Suns rebounds against the Sacramento Kings on March 23, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 23: Richaun Holmes #21 of the Phoenix Suns rebounds against the Sacramento Kings on March 23, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Richaun Holmes

Holmes is an interesting case for Phoenix.

After a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, Holmes played 70 games with the Suns, playing extremely well as the backup center of the team.

In 16.9 minutes per game, Holmes put up 8.2 points per game on a career-best 60.8% shooting from the field.

But even more was Holmes impact on defense.

The six-foot-ten big man blocked 79 shots and was the anchor of the second-unit defense. The energy Holmes brought on a nightly-basis was near intoxicating to a team that often played down during the season.

He was a also steep upgrade from Tyson Chandler who had started the year as the second center, but was later bought-out and picked up by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Holmes also shot a career-best 73.1% from the line on a career-high 175 attempts.

And while he may not find himself a starter in Phoenix at any point, it’s worth noting that Holmes could carve out some substantial minutes should the Suns decided to bring him back.

Another bonus would be at 25, Holmes has many more years he can bring to a franchise.

Of the free agents the Suns have, this is most likely the player the team decides to bring back, given his performance last season.