PHOENIX SUNS
Young, Aminu, Kaminsky highlight Suns’ free agent targets at PF
Jun 21, 2019, 1:55 PM
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
While the Phoenix Suns have agreed to a deal involving power forward Dario Saric, they aren’t done attempting to upgrade the position.
After the 2019 NBA Draft, 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro reports the Suns are pursuing Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu, Frank Kaminsky and Mike Scott as potential adds at the four spot.
Young is the most heralded and experienced of the four, heading into unrestricted free agency after his 12th NBA season. For the Indiana Pacers the past two seasons, Young started every game but two, averaging 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game last year for Indiana. An efficient scorer, Young shot 52.7% last year and while he only attempted 1.8 three-pointers a game, he converted 34.9% of ’em.
Aminu has been a key cog in the Portland Trail Blazers’ runs in the Western Conference the past few years. Known for his defensive versatility, rebounding and motor, Aminu averaged 9.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season for Portland. His 3-point shot, like Young’s, has always been underwhelming at a 33.7% mark for his career. And also like Young, Aminu is expected to command a market from contenders as an unrestricted free agent.
The 26-year-old Kaminsky is the lone restricted free agent of the four and is at the end of his rookie contract after being selected No. 9 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft. A stretch big off the bench for the Charlotte Hornets through four NBA season, Kaminsky’s averaged 9.8 points and 4.0 rebounds per game on 41.9% shooting and 34.9% from deep.
After playing sporadically for the Atlanta Hawks in his first five NBA seasons, Scott has had a nice run as an impact role player in limited minutes the past two seasons for the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. The 30-year-old is known for his quick trigger on the perimeter, where he is a career 36.4% shooter. Scott is an unrestricted free agent.
At power forward, the Suns acquired Saric but also reportedly traded T.J. Warren, who played a majority of his minutes last season as a four-man. Former top-5 pick Dragan Bender is an unrestricted free agent.
