Phoenix Suns Top Options off the Bench for the 2021-22 Season
Although Phoenix’s offseason moves never really influenced their starting five, they heavily factor into the team’s bench situation.
Phoenix put together a generally deep team last year, but after Dario Saric’s injury during the NBA Finals, things began to unravel. However, the Suns front office addressed that when putting together this year’s free agency class.
- PG: Cameron Payne
- SG: Landry Shamet
- SF: Cameron Johnson
- C: JaVale McGee
Bringing back Cameron Payne under a team-friendly deal was probably the best thing James Jones accomplished this offseason as far as getting a “bang for your buck” goes. His career high 44.0 3-point percentage last year certainly spoke for itself, as did his heroics during the Western Conference Finals.
Landry Shamet also carries game-breaking 3-point shooting skills. He contributed heavily for the Brooklyn Nets last year, clearly illustrating an ability to play during the high stakes playoff matchups likely awaiting the Suns this coming season. Phoenix lacked an actual shooting guard to place behind Booker last year as well. So this trade not only added more firepower to this team’s offense, but also applied more balance too it.
Fan-favorite Cameron Johnson also returns for his third NBA season. The former UNC Tar Heel shot 44.6 percent from long range during the postseason, embodying a highly-valued young gun for this team.
JaVale McGee actually first captured Phoenix’s attention when Chris Paul acknowledged his hustle even during garbage time during the Western Conference Finals. Desperately needing to add size behind Ayton, the Suns managed to reeled him in shortly after free agency opened up.
Chris Paul told @YahooSports about the moment JaVale McGee caught his attention and how six meaningless minutes made a huge impression, resulting in the big man landing in Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/8SxHqXtHRB
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 3, 2021
Having also just won Olympic Gold with Booker, he probably already knows of Phoenix’s culture and practices just through their conversations. With the right work ethic and physical traits, he embodies exactly what the Suns needed this offseason.