As the Phoenix Suns chase a championship window, free agency becomes a crucial test for reshaping their depth and future.
The Phoenix Suns are officially on the clock.
After another disappointing season, the pressure in the Valley is higher than ever. Phoenix, for the 3rd season in a row Phoenix faces the challenge of reshaping a top-heavy roster with limited cap space and few assets. With the expectations of this season already being anything outside of winning a championship, the pressure isn’t as high as other seasons. The pressure although, has shifted to other aspects such as moving Bradley Beal and trying to get below the second apron.
With all of that being said here are three targets I feel would move the needle for the Suns.
Chris Paul
With the Phoenix Suns lacking point guard depth, I feel that Chris Paul, for the right price, is needed. If the Suns were to sign Paul, I’m not asking for him to play the same role as in 2021. I don’t want or need Paul to play 30+ minutes a night at the ripe age of forty.
It was already reported that Paul is looking to play for a team close to his home base in Los Angeles, California, and is open to a reunion with Phoenix.
The Clippers and Suns are reportedly considering a reunion with Chris Paul, per @TheSteinLine
“The Los Angeles Clippers, in addition to Phoenix, are another of Paul’s former teams that is said to be weighing a second engagement with the 12-time NBA All-Star, who turned 40 in… pic.twitter.com/CDk91QTEN8
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 29, 2025
If Paul was truly considering a return to Phoenix, I welcome him with open arms.
I would prefer Paul to play a similar role to the one he played this past season in San Antonio. With the Spurs last season, Paul averaged 8.8 points, 7.4 assists while shooting 42.7% from the field and 37.7% from three. Paul is very much still productive at his age and actually played in all eighty-two games last season. With a team similar to the ones he played on in Phoenix, I feel his fit would still fit like a glove.
One thing I think the Suns suffered from the most when losing Paul was his voice and impact in the locker room. Even though the Suns already have a head coach in Jordan Ott, Paul is pretty much like an assistant coach, but he plays in the games. With a roster like Phoenix, you need a veteran presence like Paul within the locker room.
Russell Westbrook
Once again, the Suns desperately need a point guard on this roster and Westbrook is a guy I’ve wanted on this team for years now.
I feel that even if you go and get Chris Paul in free agency, you can go and get Russell Westbrook as well to add more depth at the point guard position. Westbrook is one of those guys that you hate to play against but love if he’s on your team. Westbrook plays with a hustle and fast-paced tempo that the Suns need.
Westbrook is aggressive, going for rebounds and loose balls, and still aggressively attacks the rim like his golden days.
Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images
This past season with Denver saw Westbrook in seventy-five games with Denver averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals.
My only concern is Westbrook’s shooting when it comes to his game, but everything else he does on the court makes up for that aspect of his game. If we can have a guy like Westbrook attack the basket and also have a guy like Chris Paul work the mid-range, it opens up some interesting offensive opportunities for the Suns.
It was reported on my podcast episode of Quick Connects with Suns insider Flex From Jersey that Westbrook has been trying to come to Phoenix for the past three seasons now.
With the lack of point guards on this roster, this would be a prime opportunity for Westbrook to stake his claim with the Phoenix Suns. It is easy for the Suns to get players to come play for them solely based on one thing, that thing is Devin Booker. Having a guy with zero ego as your superstar makes it super easy to acquire guys when given the chance. Westbrook is one of the many players around the league that has taken note of that and have seen personally how special Booker is on the big stage.
Dalano Banton
If the Suns are still looking to go younger, I wouldn’t mind taking a buy-low, sell-high situation with Banton.
Banton is a 6’8 forward from the Portland Trail Blazers. Banton has a lot of good physical attributes as he stands at 6’8 with a 6’10 wingspan. Just based on his size, Banton adds a lot of versatility to the position he can play. Banton is highly praised for his playmaking on the court. Banton has an advantage of seeing over defenses and threading passes in pick and roll situations, weakside kickouts, and transition.
Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images
This past season, Banton in sixty-seven games averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 assists, and 2 rebounds.
Banton is a very streaky scorer when it comes to efficiency, but when he has it going, he can be a threat. On the defensive end, he isn’t really physical, but he can beat you with his quick feet. He is a very switchable defender due to his length and quickness on the court. He definitely has some areas to work on surrounding handling the ball and his three-point shooting, but if he’s available and open to coming to Phoenix I am all for it.
These are three guys I feel can have an impact on the Suns going into this season, and if they are available, I am 100% open to making these guys a part of the Phoenix Suns.
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