Members of ESPN panel suggest Suns are free agent darkhorses

LeBron James and Paul George may or may not be free agents. In any case, the NBA free agency circus that’s about to begin is focused on those stars who have opt-outs in their contracts before the moratorium for discussions opens on Sunday.

Do they stay in Cleveland and Oklahoma City, respectively? Do they team up in Los Angeles? Or do solid foundations in Philadelphia or Houston lure either in an attempt to compete with the dynasty in Golden State?

It might surprise that some NBA reporters and writers are keeping the Phoenix Suns in mind heading into that free agency period with those questions.

Jackie MacMullan and Brian Windhorst were unique among five ESPN panelists by picking the Suns as the dark horse team to keep tabs on. Here’s what MacMullan had to say about Phoenix’s potential to surprise during free agency.

Yes, the same Suns that were cellar dwellers in both offensive and defensive efficiency last season. But newly appointed coach Igor Kokoskov adds instant swagger — and accountability — on defense. Deandre Ayton is aboard. So is Mikal Bridges, one of the best 3-and-D players in this draft. Plunk them next to professional scorer Devin Booker and add French point guard Elie Okobo, who has the ability for lightning-bolt offensive explosions, and the Valley of the Nones has some appeal again, not to mention cap room.

The future is suddenly intriguing. Enough to lure DeMarcus Cousins, or to overpay Clint Capela with an offer sheet? At least now it’s actually a plausible scenario.

Cousins, who could be seeking a max deal despite coming off a serious Achilles injury, might not be a target. Capela falls into the same category as a questionable option for a team that just drafted first overall pick Deandre Ayton, who should at least be a capable starting center in his first season.

The expectations if the Suns can’t land such a star aren’t clear.

Phoenix has obvious needs at power forward and point guard, but the free agent classes aren’t ripe with obvious fits. The Celtics’ Marcus Smart (restricted) and the Clippers’ Avery Bradley (unrestricted) are among the better point guard candidates.

At power forward, Aaron Gordon (restricted), Thaddeus Young (unrestricted) and Derrick Favors (unrestricted) lead the list of potential targets.

Who knows if even those names are potential gets for the Suns.

The point is, however, that laying off big signings as other teams overspent during the past two summers has put Phoenix in a favorable position, as Windhorst generally asserts.

The Suns have cap space and look poised to make a run at a veteran free agent or two that they can pair with their young kids. They want to win now, and it’s a buyer’s market. Could be a surprise name they go after and land.

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