The Phoenix Suns need to make some tweaks to the rest of their roster if the plan is to build around the Big 3.
The NBA has slowly seen a shift (to those who have paid close attention) in the past few seasons. Size does matter.
The small ball era is not “dead” by any means, and there are uses for it in today’s game, but it’s not as “trendy” as it used to be either. Teams that have the versatility to play up and down with size across the board hold an advantage in a 7-game series.
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Minnesota and Boston are examples of this, and even Denver looking at their wing/forward interchangeability over the past two seasons. Having depth is important, but it has to be the right kind of depth that can contribute to a playoff series. “16-game” players as we call them. Big guards, big wings, forwards that can mix it up on the perimeter and down low. You need it all to survive and advance.
Starpower still fuels teams, but how are they surrounding those stars? Youth, size, athleticism, and shooting. Now go find it!
From a franchise history perspective… the Phoenix Suns have always been the “small” team. Even at their peak moments in franchise history, they’ve seemingly been too small to get over the hump.
They theoretically finally have a taller team with the likes of Nurkic, Durant, Bol, etc., but you have to factor in what type of “big” these players are and how they mesh. Do they play to their height or do they play smaller? How do the role players at each position compliment them?
That’s what the front office will need to button up as they round out the rest of the rotation.
Royce O’Neale can be retained through an extension even though the team is over the cap due to having his bird rights. That was a major factor in acquiring him, so it’s likely he will be back along with the starting five.
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That leaves Phoenix with six key rotation players returning IF he re-ups:
*heights listed via bball reference
- Jusuf Nurkic: 7’0”
- Kevin Durant: 6’11”
- Devin Booker: 6’6”
- *Royce O’Neale: 6’4”
- Grayson Allen: 6’4”
- Bradley Beal: 6’4”
This isn’t a “small” team by any means, but looking at what each player does with their height is important when analyzing it. Unfortunately for Phoenix, a lot of these guys play smaller than their height minus Royce. They felt that extraordinarily throughout the Minnesota series and the year before versus Denver.
Re-signing Bol Bol is reportedly a priority for the Suns this summer. While that helps with the height, he isn’t the type to instill force on his opponents much like Kevin Durant at his size, playing more like a skilled guard.
The Suns would like to re-sign Bol Bol, who could receive a more consistent role under new head coach Mike Budenholzer.
Bol averaged 5.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 10.9 minutes per game.
Bol shot 42.3% on threes, and that could be explored further within… pic.twitter.com/X6xjCBTJ3Q
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 22, 2024
Phoenix needs functional strength and size to complement this group they have intact. Long wings that can mix it up and guard multiple positions while helping on the glass don’t grow on trees.
Who?
The route to land one effective playoff-caliber rotation player? Packaging Nassir Little along with their first-round pick this year and possibly their 2031 pick.
We’ve heard the chatter. Don’t get attached to Phoenix’s picks with the team in all-out win-now mode. While some of these names aren’t perfect fixes for the Suns, they are ideas I’ll toss out for fun.
Keep an eye on Orlando as a trade partner. Goga Bitadze and Wendell Carter Jr. (center logjam) come to mind immediately along with Jonathan Isaac, though the latter is more of a longshot.
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Jalen McDaniels, the brother of Jaden is a wing that comes to mind on the realistic front. Kenrich Williams is another longtime Suns target that hasn’t ever really been available but maybe that changes due to the logjam in OKC. Torrey Craig reunion?
Nick Richards of Charlotte is another big that could be a target as the Suns’ backup five.
Either way, they have to get creative in how they use both Little’s contract and their future picks. Adding some size has to be the goal, and that doesn’t necessarily need to start at the center position.
Simply put, this team needs some dogs.