Valley of the Suns
Fansided

The 3 most underpaid Phoenix Suns for next season

By Luke Duffy

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Yuta Watanabe #18 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts after making a three pointer during the second quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center on January 28, 2023 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 28: Yuta Watanabe #18 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts after making a three pointer during the second quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center on January 28, 2023 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 01: Yuta Watanabe of the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 01: Yuta Watanabe of the Brooklyn Nets. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

1. Yuta Watanabe

The obvious answer here, it is frankly astonishing that the Suns somehow managed to get Yuta Watanabe this summer. So much so, that we spoke right here about what a dream selection he would be before free agency began. Watanabe ticks not only every box for the Suns, but would have for so many other teams as well.

At one point he led the league in corner 3-pointers made last season, and was a ridiculous 44.4 percent from deep on nearly three attempts per game for the Brooklyn Nets. Watanabe has already played with Durant before, but think about how many open looks he is going to get next to Booker and Beal. He could also unlock a nice little two-man game with center Ayton as well.

Although the shooting ability is the main reason the Suns and so many other teams wanted to sign Watanabe, his defensive abilities are slept on. Watanabe is a legitimate 6’8″, and while Gordon and Bates-Diop will be tasked with guarding elite wing scorers most of the time, what a luxury it is to have Watanabe available to spend some possessions covering a player too.

In fact Watanabe may fit in so well right away, that he becomes the fifth starter for the group, giving them a jumbo front three of Ayton, Durant and Watanabe. With Booker and Beal in the backcourt, that Suns starting five has a chance to be one of the greatest offensive groups the league has ever seen.

Next. The 6 worst Phoenix Suns starters of the Devin Booker era. dark

Even if Watanabe ultimately comes off the bench, he could become their sixth man sharpshooter, propping up the second unit with some much needed scoring and spacing. One of Booker, Durant and Beal will be on the court at all times, so they’ll each spend some time with that second group. What an incredible deal it was to get Watanabe for $2.3 million this coming season.

Home/Suns News