The Phoenix Suns have several depth issues that need some resolution if they are going to make a run at the playoffs. These are the top-five potential short-term acquisitions to help with that goal.
The Phoenix Suns are in desperate need of a power forward, a backup point guard, and really – just some buzz of excitement.
Dario Saric is not a starter in the NBA (at least at this point in his career); Frank Kaminsky is nothing to rely upon either; after his great start, Aron Baynes has been, well, Aron Baynes; and while we might hope that Elie Okobo can be a decent backup someday, he cannot be counted on in a playoff race.
Of course, by this trade deadline, James Jones is likely seeking a star player above all others, someone who can group up with Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Kelly Oubre; the kind of player that might actually make the Phoenx Suns a formidable team in the Western Conference – and certainly a tough out in the playoffs this summer.
But if one of those cannot be had in February, Jones too does not necessarily want to hurt the cap flexibility that he has cultivated for this offseason (I wrote about exactly how much he has to play with here) by acquiring a long-term contract that doesn’t fit that “star” category.
That cap space will come in handy this summer via either a free agent signing (although unlikely) or a trade for a player who wasn’t available now, and Jones knows he doesn’t want to mess with it.
Therefore, this list is of players who are potentially available right now, and who would not hurt the team’s long-term flexibility, certainly as they head into this summer.
This also isn’t a “gotchya” type post.
For instance: Marcus Morris is probably available, and is averaging a seriously impressive 19.2 points per game this year for New York – the kind of offense the Phoenix Suns need at power forward.
However, while some people around the league might ignorantly tab Phoenix as a potential destination, there isn’t a chance in the world that Robert Sarver would green light a re-acquisition of Morris and the gigantic headache that he brings along.
So, without further ado: the top-five most plausible soon-to-be free agent power forwards James Jones and the Phoenix Suns can acquire by the deadline.