Free agents the Phoenix Suns can target with the veteran minimum.
2. Derrick Jones Jr.
In a lot of ways, Derrick Jones Jr. is still the same player that left the Suns all those years ago. He’s a good cutter and capable defender due to his nuclear athleticism, but struggles to do much else. Luckily the Suns won’t need him to do anything else with their offensive trio of Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
Jones can thrive in the open space the Suns’ offensive juggernauts create, while also chasing the other team’s best players.
The one thing Jones has steadily improved on has been his 3-point shot, which has marginally increased each of the last three seasons. Last year’s mark of 33 percent is far from great, but also more than passable.
The caveat with Jones Jr. is that he did opt out of a contract that was worth slightly more than a minimum, which could mean he’s either unhappy with his situation with the Chicago Bulls, or that he wants more money.
It’s hard to see anybody giving him more than the minimum, so if he’s looking for that and is disappointed, a reunion could be in the cards. This could be more a case of Jones Jr. testing the market, and the Suns also looking elsewhere, before a reunion that is convenient for both occurs.