The Phoenix Suns are still in the hunt for a playoff spot. Here are three players that could help them get there, without breaking the bank.
The last time the Suns made the playoffs was in 2010–one decade ago. For ten years, Suns fans have hoped for a return to relativity, for the opportunity to root for meaningful games. For ten years they’ve hoped against hope.
Back in the 2013-14 season, they came close with that Dragic/Bledsoe/Frye led team. Suddenly, the future looked bright. But the front office drank their own Kool-Aid and doubled down on their dual point guard line-up, signing Isiah Thomas and letting Channing Frye go in free agency.
Somehow they thought two plus one minus one equaled six . . . or something like that. Whatever it was, they were thinking they got the math wrong and by the trade deadline next year, Dragic and Thomas were gone. Eventually, Bledsoe was traded in 2017 for Greg Monroe and a couple of draft picks.
Two plus one minus one equals none.
This year they have another shot at the playoffs. At this point, that’s all Suns fans are really asking for. But they’ll need some help and the Goodfellas (D’Angelo Danté Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns Jr.) aren’t likely walking through the door any time soon—probably ever.
So with the trade deadline approaching, and the Suns in serious need of a stronger bench, here are three gettable players that should help:
Frank Ntilikina
6’4” Guard, NY Knicks (21 years old)
Stats: 5.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3 assists (21 minutes per game)
It is clear the Phoenix Suns need a backup point guard. While the carousel of current options have played well in certain stretches, no one has seized the role for themselves. Usually, when the notion of trading for a backup point guard comes up, it has revolved around a veteran, but what about someone younger?
Frank Ntilikina came into the league with a lot of hype. He hasn’t lived up to that hype, but he’s beloved in New York and shows flashes from time to time of what made so high on so many draft boards.
At 6’4″, he boasts a 7’1” wingspan and causes a lot of problems on the perimeter. As an offensive weapon, he’s limited, shooting only 31% from deep. But he’s a pass first point guard who looks to make the right play and is improving. Maybe a couple of years under Ricky Rubio as a mentor will do him some good.
And at 21 years of age with only one year at $6 million left on his deal, Ntilikina is worth the risk.
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.
Davis Bertans
6’10” Forward, Washington Wizards (27 years old)
Stats: 15.3 points, 5 rebounds, 1.7 assists (29.4 minutes per game)
Davis Bertans is maybe the riskiest get out of this list. Plenty of teams looking to improve their roster want a player like Bertans, who shoots over 43% from beyond the arc and at his height can get his shot off over most defenders.
He can space the floor, moves well and despite looking like a stiff breeze would send him tumbling, he still rebounds well for a player more comfortable on the perimeter. Bertans comes from a high-octane offense and fills the biggest need the Suns have, dependable 3-point shooting and floor spacing.
If the Suns could get him on the cheap, Bertans would be a guy who could help this team fight toward the 8th seed in the playoffs.
These players aren’t All-Stars and they probably never will be, but the Suns don’t need All-Stars, they have one of those . . . oh . . . wait . . . never mind.
Of course, all of the these players come with some risk, but you know the saying, the bigger the risk the bigger the reward. In this case, the reward would be a return to the playoffs, which is all Suns fans really want, just a taste of relativity.