Phoenix Suns 5 Initial Free Agent Targets Nobody is Talking About Enough

Phoenix Suns, Monty Williams (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Phoenix Suns, Monty Williams (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Even with a fraction of teams positioned to enter it with sizeable cap space, the 2022 NBA offseason should be a full-fledged buffet just like all the others before it. The Phoenix Suns will not only be invited to this bash, but should occupy a front seat at the table being labeled as title contenders once again ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Regardless, Phoenix finds themselves in an odd spot this summer. A few months ago, they looked like a heat seeking missile headed straight for the NBA Finals. But one run in with the Dallas Mavericks taught them otherwise.

Three weeks still need to pass though before this kitchen opens up. That time will hopefully allow the Suns to navigate their way through their Deandre Ayton dilemma and enter free agency more focused.

So at this point, there’s no need for the Suns to put their orders in yet. The 2021-22 season ended no more than a few days ago; the TD Garden’s opponent locker room is probably still dripping with champagne right now.

However, the Suns will want to take this time to start glossing over the menu and eyeing up who they want to extend offers to. Last season, Phoenix reeled in JaVale McGee and Elfrid Payton as free agents, both of whom wielded different results. While McGee came through with a dandy of a season at 34 years old, Payton fell out of the rotation around February.

Those two guys came over on veteran’s minimum offers or via the mid-level exception. With a similar budget this year, Phoenix will not exactly be able to “order the lobster” at this event, but instead throw out a few “bang for your buck” deals on the following players.