Valley of the Suns
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3 best players the Phoenix Suns got on minimum contracts

By Luke Duffy

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 22: Keita Bates-Diop #31 of the San Antonio Spurs drives against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Fiserv Forum on March 22, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 22: Keita Bates-Diop #31 of the San Antonio Spurs drives against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Fiserv Forum on March 22, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 31: Keita Bates-Diop of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 31: Keita Bates-Diop of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

3 best players the Phoenix Suns got on minimum contracts.

1. Keita Bates-Diop

A lot of people were surprised to see the Suns add Keita Bates-Diop straight away once free agency began, and many opponents were jealous of the acquisition as well. When you think of the kind of players who will thrive in the setting the Suns are cultivating, Bates-Diop has to be on that list.

At 27-years-old, Bates-Diop has never averaged more than 10 points in a season in the league, although he did hit nearly 40 percent of his 3-pointers last season, on 2.1 attempts per game. The defensive end is where he is going to make his name however, and he’s already had plenty of standout moments for his former employers, the San Antonio Spurs.

The best case scenario here is that Bates-Diop can replace the departed Craig, and very quickly become a much better version of him as well. This also applies to Okogie, who can start if required, but who would be better suited coming off the bench. Bates-Diop in theory is entering his prime, and has been presented with a golden opportunity here to start and win a championship.

All he has to do is exactly what he’s good at, and nothing more. There won’t be any requirement for him to make many shots outside of the occasional 3-pointer, and the hope is that his young legs will carry the team on some nights during the regular season.

Next. Taking stock of the Suns and their direction. dark

There’s also a belief that once the postseason begins, Bates-Diop can be part of their shortened rotation. He has too much defensive ability not to be used, and like the others on this list, to get him on a minimum deal is superb business by the Suns.

Bates-Diop has his flaws. If he didn’t, he’d have been offered the kind of money to play elsewhere that he simply couldn’t turn down. But this is the ideal situation for him. Help the Suns play elite basketball defensively while he is on the court, and hopefully form a fierce partnership with Ayton. His one-on-one skills defending elite scorers is going to be crucial.

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