EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

Empire of the Suns Mailbag, Part II: FA targets, getting over 35 wins

Mar 2, 2018, 6:01 AM | Updated: 11:43 am

(AP photos)...

(AP photos)

(AP photos)

Sniffing 20 wins following a victory against the also-stumbling Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night, the Phoenix Suns continue their development of their youngsters.

Rookie Josh Jackson has come on as of late, while Devin Booker extended his streak of scoring 30 or more points to three games.

But the roster has flaws. Its youth must show signs of improvement. What are the biggest questions for the rest of the year and into the draft and offseason? We asked you.

After taking on a series of questions about draft prospect Deandre Ayton, here’s what else our readers wanted to know about the Suns.

Kevin Zimmerman: That’d be Los Angeles Clippers guard Avery Bradley and Utah Jazz center Derrick Favors.

The Suns’ tinkering with Devin Booker at point guard could allude to their thoughts about Bradley playing in the backcourt alongside the youngster. Defensively, Bradley will take on the best offensive guard each night, is good enough to initiate some of the offense and can shoot well from three.

The problem begins when you consider that Booker also desperately could use another ball handler who can break down an offense. If Phoenix drafted a Luka Doncic or Trae Young before free agency, going with Bradley over, say, Elfrid Payton would make sense. Bradley currently is out with a hernia surgery — if he undergoes surgery, his price-point might drop after a poor, injury-plagued season.

I’ll let Kellan handle Favors.

Kellan Olson: For me, Favors is more representative of the point you are making than Bradley.

Bradley has proven he can be effective in a role not many guys can fill in the league. Favors, meanwhile, is a solid NBA big man who can do a little bit of scoring in the post, protecting the rim and rebounding. If we can look past the injury concern of him failing to play over 62 games in a season since 2014-15, he could certainly be worth a look.

At 26 years old, Favors would also be signed in his prime. He would give the Suns a reliable big man, something they have sorely lacked when Tyson Chandler is out.

The issue is even if the Suns don’t draft a big man, it’s hard to see a scenario where Favors wouldn’t block playing time for Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender. While Chriss and Bender have not played well this year, does Favors move the needle enough to bring him in?

The only wild, and I mean wild, scenario I see unfolding here for signing Favors to make sense would be the Suns moving their top pick for an All-Star point guard and needing an extra boost in the frontcourt to make a playoff push. In that scenario, sure.

Zimmerman: Really, I don’t think they have a choice. Chandler hasn’t been resting due to the Suns tanking. As it’s been presented, he’s really not been able to play effectively for 82 games. With one year remaining on Chandler’s contract that will pay him $13.6 million, there aren’t going to be takers for his contract.

He’s been accepting of his role. I think he’s realistic that his role here is to remain supportive of his young teammates.

Olson: I agree with Kevin. On top of getting Chandler as a strong veteran for your No. 2 most valuable asset, he can still do the job of playing 15-20 minutes fairly well.

Zimmerman: I am super curious what direction they go, and it’ll be telling who they put alongside Booker. If Phoenix goes offense by drafting a Doncic, Ayton or Young, then they need to go after guys like Bradley to shore up the defensive issues and make a push. Maybe a healthy Alan Williams and Brandon Knight refreshed gives them decent depth. That’s the only way I could see 35 games happening.

Olson: In theory, the Suns have the major asset (their own first-round pick) and minor assets (lesser first-round picks and young players) to pull off the big move for an All-Star that would see them reach this level of aspirations.

The question, as it always has been, is if that name becomes available and if it does, do the Suns have the best offer in the eyes of the team shipping out that star?

I’m also not counting out the very small chance of a new coach, a refreshed Knight, Booker taking another step forward, a key signing or two and major contributions from Jackson, one of the young power forwards and their upcoming top pick putting them around that mark. Probably not, but there’s at least a chance, right?

Empire of the Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

13 hours ago

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns argues a call with official Pat Fraser n the first half as Jere...

Kellan Olson

Suns stumble through latest inexcusable effort, lose to shorthanded Spurs

The Phoenix Suns followed up Saturday's win over the San Antonio Spurs with Monday's offering being more of what we've come to expect.

3 days ago

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives in front of Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs i...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns find better energy for clinical win over Spurs

The Phoenix Suns were overdue for a win like Saturday's 131-106 final over the San Antonio Spurs, taking care of business early.

5 days ago

Jusuf Nurkic #20 of the Phoenix Suns passes over Kyle Lowry #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the...

Kellan Olson

Suns work through typical turnover problems to defeat 76ers

The Phoenix Suns dealt with some of their usual issues while managing a comfortable win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

8 days ago

Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX ...

Kellan Olson

Isaiah Thomas returns to NBA, Suns after injuries derailed his career in its prime

Isaiah Thomas' NBA journey is a unique one. Here's how he thinks he can help the 2023-24 Phoenix Suns in a return to the league.

8 days ago

Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel looks on during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics  ...

Kellan Olson

Suns in serious jeopardy of play-in tournament fate entering last month of season

You wouldn't have guessed it by watching them over the last two games but the Phoenix Suns are in a precarious position.

9 days ago

Empire of the Suns Mailbag, Part II: FA targets, getting over 35 wins