Three positional needs the Phoenix Suns are looking to address

Where should the Phoenix Suns start? What roster need do they possess should be prioritized above all else? What aspect of the 2023-24 Suns did you find most frustrating, annoying, intolerable, or irritating? Can it be fixed by the addition of a player? Or is it a coaching or organizational philosophy that needs to be adjusted? Too many questions to open an article?

The team is shackled when it comes to how they can operate this offseason. Like Andy Dufresne, they are locked up and need to find unique and creative ways to escape the prison they are in. Their's is a prison of poor decisions that led them to this point. Andy was innocent. The Suns are guilty as charged.

Guilty as charged...

The Suns need to get out on parole, and while we might have opinions on how and why that can occur, it ultimately comes down to the decision-makers in the front office. What do they think is wrong with Phoenix? What are they looking to fill from a positional need this offseason? Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro provided insight as to how the organization is approaching this problem, citing three needs Phoenix is attempting to address, whether it be via the NBA Draft, free agency, or a restrcited trademark for a second apron team.

Are these the correct archetypes to explore? Let’s talk about why Phoenix would be interested in filling these needs.

A Point Guard Who Can Play 20+ Minutes

Gambo didn’t reference whether this was of the starting point guard variety, but based on the fact the stated 20+ minutes, we can assume he is referencing a quality backup point guard.

There certainly was a need in Phoenix for playmaking. The team was abysmal in the fourth quarter, averaging 5.5 assists in the quarter (25th) while committing 3.8 turnovers (27th). Their plus/minus of -195 was 100 points worse than the 29th-ranked team. It was as if they forgot to help how to play offense and defense.

A facilitator can assist — no pun intended — in fixing this ordeal. Having someone who understands how to set those up around him on the team to put the ball in the bucket is of utmost importance, especially when you are attempting to provide rest to your star players.

The free agent market isn’t littered with names that are needle movers, however. RFecogniozable names are past their prime and those young enough to contribute may seek more money elswhere.

Backup Big Upgrade over Drew Eubanks

The backup center situation for Phoenix last season wasn’t horrible, but you could say it was unacceptable. Drew could throw down an oppressive slam dunk from time to time and developed a report with Kevin Durant. He scored 5.1 points in 75 games played, hitting 60.1% of his field goals.

Drew Eubanks played with effort. His high motor was valuable on a team that lacks high motors. He could come in and give a jolt to the game like he did against the Chicago Bulls.

So why do Suns fans think that he isn’t the answer for the Suns and their backup center position?

The problem was on both offense and defense. He was embarrassingly out of position quite often. A great guy and a player with size, his basketball IQ hurt the second-team unit with regularity. He often found himself on an island, and opposing defenses would attack him at will.

We all longed for Thaddeus Young to get more of a run, which in and of itself proves how screwed up the Suns were this season.

What is available via free agency? You’re only going to get veteran minimum guys, so the expectation must match the output.

• Jonas Valanciunas
• Nic Claxton
• Isaiah Hartenstein
• Precious Achiuwa
• Jalen Smith
• Daniel Theis
• Mason Plumlee
• Andre Drummond
• Tristan Thompson
• JaVale McGee
• Alex Len
• Cody Seller

Nic Claxton would be an ideal addition, but it is rumored that the 25-year-old will most likely net $20 to $25 million annually. Start looking at names further down the list for the Drew Eubanks replacement.

Of course, there is always the draft.

Young, Athletic Wing

If a young athletic wing is on the Suns' list, they are going to have to use their 22nd overall most likely to obtain them. Or is this like last offseason? When young wings were willing to take better deals to play with Durant, Booker, and Beal? Keita-Bates-Diop, Yuta Watanabe, Chimezie Metu; these were all considered steals in free agency a summer ago.

We witnessed how that worked out, didn’t we? They were all gone by the deadline as their production waned along with their minutes. The draft is the best conduit for acquiring that young athletic wing.

Our own Damon Allred has his thoughts on who the Suns can target at the win position:

SMALL FORWARD

Tristan Da Silva, Colorado, 6-foot-8.25 with 6-10.25 wingspan

Jaylon Tyson, Cal, 6-foot-5.5 with 6-8 wingspan

Tyson told the media after a workout for the Portland Trail Blazers that he had a workout scheduled with the Suns, and to this point, he’s the only projected first-rounder to have a known workout.

POWER FORWARD

Bobi Klintman, Cairns Taipans, 6-foot-8.75 with 6-11 wingspan

Tyler Smith, 6-foot-9 with 7-1 wingspan

The dark horse position is here because this is likely where the most variance is. Whether or not each of these players develop functional handles will be the decider between them being 7th men on a roster as opposed to 3rd. I have more faith in Klintman’s projection because of his movement abilities on both ends.

It’s already June 9. Soon we will know what the Suns will do in the draft. Subsequent conversations will lead to what occurs in free agency. Which of the three archetypes listed above do you prioritize? Is it the playmaking? Or the backup big? Or do you believe that the young athletic wing should be prioritized?

Let us know via the poll and comments below.