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It seems the Phoenix Suns can't catch a break.

With reports that forward Grant Hill will leave the team and all signs pointing to Eric Gordon remaining in New Orleans, the Suns haven't had a very successful free agency campaign.

And then there's Steve Nash, the point guard maestro, who now sports purple and gold for the city of angels, a move that has (so far) headlined this year's NBA offseason and heralds the beginning of a rebuilding process for the Suns.

The above shifts for Planet Orange are the main reason why ESPN.com Insider Chad Ford assigned the Suns a C- grade for free agency.

According to Ford, the lone positive is the reacquisition of Goran Dragic who "isn't Nash, but he's a good, young point guard who fits the Suns' system." Dragic agreed to a reported 4-year, $34 million deal after averaging 11.7 points and 5.3 assists per game with Houston this past season.

The other pickup, Michael Beasley entered free agency from Minnesota, averaged 11.5 points in 47 games in the 2011-12 season, but "his difficulty playing with others will be an issue," said Ford. The small forward signed a three-year deal worth $18 million, but Ford expects the Suns will "play him out of position at the 3, which isn't great."

And amidst all the talk about Kendall Marshall being the next great assists-leader, Ford isn't convinced, citing the point guard's "lack of athleticism and defensive ability" as reasons to be hesitant to call him the Suns' savior.

Ford concludes his below average rating of Phoenix with a stinging prediction: that the Suns are destined to struggle for the coming years with below-average players and late-lottery picks.

14 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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    RemyG wrote...
    Pretty Accurate
    I would agree with the current grade for the moves the Suns have made thus far. Dragic took a step back in his progression the same year he was traded for Aaron Brooks. Beasley is teetering on the label of becoming a bust considering the hype he had when he was getting out of college. I like the Marshall pick, but let's face it. Losing out on Gordon hurts, and going after Mayo will not be the answer. Right now they give off the vibe they don't want to have a Bobcat season, and that's okay I guess.
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    Tennisgrandpa wrote...
    and this is news?
    Some insider. This situation the Suns are in was set in stone the day we didn't deal Amare by the trade deadline. Everyone knew Amare was heading to NY except our idiot owner and the Spur-loving GM in Kerr. Our fate was sealed right then. I'm glad Nash is gone, that forced our move to rebuild. I can accept mediocrity if it's in the middle of a rebuild. If the Suns do this right, it'll be one year, if they get stupid, it's 3 or 4. Use the picks, unload the overpaid dead-weight and ignore moronic insiders.
    Dale
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    mario_reporting wrote...
    mario_reporting
    Kendall Marshall is gonna be the next Rajon Rondo I guarntee it. They both dont have a jumper but have a great feel for the game.
  • Abuse
    dant wrote...
    Ford right on one, wrong on others
    Dragic was a good signing. Beasley was a good signing, especially at the price. Gordon, I would not have signed him to an offer sheet since you knew NO would match but they took a chance, nothing really lost there. Nash - it was time to go. Marshall, I agree with Ford was a reach who simply is not athletic enough to be a legit starting PG. They really should have done everything possible to trade up to get Jeremy Lamb. He WAS the 2G they need for the future and if Shannon Brown ends up being the starter next season, Lamb was the 2G of the present as well.
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