5 free agents the Suns could consider for their final roster spot

The Phoenix Suns, after releasing Nassir Little earlier this week, have opened a roster spot. An open roster spot, you say? That’s right. Little’s three-year, $22 million contract — which proved to be too hard to sell anyone on — is now gone. It’s a smart financial move for the Suns, both short-term and long-term.

And yes, it opens a spot up on the roster.

How the Suns will navigate that open roster spot remains to be seen. This team has no shortage of players. 17, to be exact. One of the pros of having three two-way contract spots available is, if you fill them as James Jones has, you have options.

One of those options is to leave the roster spot open. This approach offers long-term flexibility while also enabling James Jones to be more strategic in his decisions. It also allows the Suns to take two players back in a deal if need be. Want to trade Okogie? Is the only way you can do that by taking on two veteran minimum deals in return? Jones can do that with an open spot.

The other option — brace yourself for this groundbreaking idea — is to actually fill the spot. If the right opportunity comes along, Phoenix has the luxury of signing someone without having to cut anyone loose. That moment could be now, or it could be whenever the basketball gods decide to throw them a bone.

But who is left on the market? Who should the Suns pursue?

After pulling off a Hail Mary in the fourth quarter and getting Tyus Jones to come to Phoenix, I think it’s safe to say that we’re good at the guard position. Over half of their roster — 10 by my count — is made up of guards. The team has four forwards (Durant, O’Neale, Dunn, and Bol) and three centers (Nurkic, Plumlee, and Ighodaro).

That is what they should be looking at. Forwards and centers. Therefore, that’s what I’m looking at.

Cedi Osman

I swear that every offseason I make a case for the Suns to chase down the 29 year old Osman, and every year they don’t. I literally wrote about it last month.

I’ll say now what I said then:

At 6’7”, Osman would give the Suns shooting off the bench, which some could say is a weakness now after the organization focused on defensive upside in the draft. His versatility and ability to space the floor make him an attractive option for many teams, and his experience in different systems showcases his adaptability on the court.

The goal is to add depth with someone who can step in without tripping over their shoelaces if injuries hit. Cedi Osman would fit the bill and fill that gap.

And hey! He talked to Nurk before a game once.

Jae Crowder

Yeah, I said it.

I’m usually not one for reunions. I skipped my 10-year and 20-year high school gatherings without a second thought. But when it comes to Jae, I’m willing to make an exception.

Did his career fizzle out the moment he chose to sit out rather than play for the Suns? Yeah. In two years with Milwaukee, Jae has played in 68 games and scored 6.4 points. And now, the guy you wanted to be a starter with Phoenix in an effort to showcase why he should have one more payday, is an unrestricted free agent without a team.

We know the relationship soured in Phoenix. But that was two coaches and one owner ago!

Crowder brings a reliable three-point shot, some much-needed grit on defense, and the seasoned presence of a veteran with attitude. I have no doubt that the Phoenix faithful would give him a standing ovation every time he checked into a game. His edge and swagger are exactly what the Suns could use.

T.J. Warren

Speaking of reunions...just kidding.

Moses Brown

When you weigh the pros and cons of the current Suns’ roster, one glaring weakness stands out: rim protection. Jusuf Nurkic and Mason Plumlee are excellent rebounders, but when it comes to defending against slashers and scorers driving to the basket, their strategy seems more like hoping for a miss and then grabbing the rebound.

Enter Moses Brown.

Brown, who will be 25 when the 2024-25 season begins, is a 7’2” big man with a 7’4” wingspan. As Adrian Bernecich from Blazer’s Edge says, “He has a knack for rim protection, owns good defensive instincts and has been able to add a little muscle to that skinny frame. On offense, he doesn’t really shoot outside of three feet, but with decent footwork and a willingness to bang down low, he can be an asset under the rim.”

Moses has wandered through the NBA like a prophet through Egypt, playing for six teams in his five years in the league. He spent this past summer in the Summer League playing for the Lakers.

Brown could be a valuable addition for Phoenix as a third or even fourth-string center. He brings considerable size and strength to the court, and while he may not stretch the floor with his shooting, he’s a reliable scorer in the paint and a capable shot deterrent on defense. In a roster that could use more interior presence, Brown’s skill set offers depth where it’s needed most.

Harry Giles

The 20th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft has never quite lived up to his potential. Once ranked as ESPN’s #1 prospect in 2016, he opted to attend Duke, where he played alongside Grayson Allen. Despite dealing with injuries during his time in Durham, he still entered the draft, where the Sacramento Kings selected him.

It has been bumpy ever since.

The 6’11” power forward/center has shown flashes of his potential in stops with the Kings, Trail Blazers, Nets, and Lakers. But injuries have followed him around. He missed all of 2022-23.

When it comes to filling that final roster spot, you have the freedom to take a calculated gamble. And Giles could be just that. He has upside, with a 7’3” wingspan that gives him a significant defensive reach, combined with agility that belies his size. Offensively, he brings a solid post-up game that could become a valuable asset in the right system.

While his career has been hampered by injuries, the potential for Giles to develop into a key contributor makes him a risk worth considering.

Robert Covington

Wasn’t this guy one of the hottest names just a season or two ago? It felt like every time you talked to Blazers, Sixers, or Clippers fans, they’d tell you how deep they were and reference RoCo as to why.

At 33 years old, Covington finds himself without a team, but his experience and skill set could make him a valuable addition to the Suns. Bringing him to Phoenix could bolster their wing depth with a player who has a proven defensive mindset and the versatility to guard multiple positions.

I wouldn’t mind seeing RoCo in purple and orange as he’d be a good veteran to have around rookie Ryan Dunn. Have them locker next to each other. Maybe Dunn can carry his bags around. Covington could show the young buck how to fortify his defensive skill set. And shoot threes.

---

Phoenix might choose to bide their time and see what opportunities arise as the season progresses. There’s a possibility that a player could be waived after the trade deadline who might add significant value. While the players mentioned above have their merits, each has a limited ceiling and might not make a substantial impact, much like Nassir Little was unlikely to.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on these suggestions in the comments below. Are there other free agents or potential targets you think the Suns should consider?