Three players the Phoenix Suns should target before the trade deadline

Frank Ntilikina Phoenix Suns (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Frank Ntilikina Phoenix Suns (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Kelly Olynyk, Phoenix Suns
Kelly Olynyk, Phoenix Suns (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Kelly Olynyk

6’11” Center, Miami Heat (28 years old)

Stats: 7.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3 assists (19.6 minutes per game)

With Aron Baynes still out and his name in the rumor mills of teams (ahem, the LA Clippers) looking for a serviceable, tough veteran big man with championship experience to make a title run, James Jones may want to look at someone who could take his place, if he were to go.

Kelly Olynyk brings a lot of what Baynes brings: toughness, 3-point shooting, and veteran leadership. Like Baynes, Olynyk is the product of winning organizations and seems to understand the we-above-me philosophy head coach Monty Williams is trying to instill.

But mostly Olynyk brings a sturdy back-up center, someone that can fill in for Ayton or play along side him if needed. He may be a good fit even if the Suns hold on to Baynes, considering his history of lingering injuries.

The drawback: Olynyk is still owed one year, $12 million. I never said it was perfect.