The NBA Finals haven't even begun yet, and already the Phoenix Suns have been put forward as a landing spot for everybody from Giannis Antetokounmpo to Ja Morant.
A more likely addition could come at the forward position, with both Aaron Gordon and Bobby Portis making sense for a variety of reasons. Their availability and current contracts being among the most important factors.
Rui Hachimura put forward as intriguing midlevel target for Phoenix
Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon took to their "Game Theory Podcast" recently to break down the Suns' offseason, and an interesting name that came up for them to target with the mid-level exception they have available to them in free agency was Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The pair pondered whether or not the unrestricted free agent could fetch more than the midlevel, and in doing so move out of the Suns' price range. That feels right around the sweet spot to land the 28-year-old, and he would represent an interesting option who in many ways is the inverse of Dillon Brooks.
The Suns finished the regular season just below league average in offensive rating (17th, 114.2 points per game), while Hachimura shot a sizzling 44.3 percent on 3.9 attempts from deep during that same time frame. Both career highs for the former Washington Wizard.
Phoenix sat a surprising 12th in makes from 3-point range (36.1 percent) themselves, although Hachimura brings more than just an outside threat to the Lakers. He's capable of scoring in the midrange and brings a small amount of secondary creation when necessary as well.
All skills that the Suns need more of, with Grayson Allen currently tasked with doing more than you would like if you have designs on making the playoffs. Thanks to his bigger body Hachimura can also mix it up with more physical opponents, and alongside Brooks in a Jordan Ott system the fit looks ideal.
The front office in Phoenix is not likely to go all in for another star this offseason, while improving their roster while also bringing back Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin (don't even start on Mark Williams) means cap space is going to be at a premium. Only Hachimura ticks all the boxes, and a move to the Suns makes sense for him as well.
Although he would go from a fringe contender to playoff hopeful, he would have a much better chance to showcase his skills and not just been seen as a guy who chips in to help LeBron James and Luka Doncic win games from time to time. We like the thinking on this one.
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