Suns trend toward traditional style with Saric, Kaminsky acquisitions

The Suns addressed their biggest need in free agency, signing point guard Ricky Rubio to a three-year, $51 million contract. But that wasn’t their only move. The team agreed to acquire power forward Dario Saric in a trade on draft night and sign free agent power forward Frank Kaminsky to a two-year, $10 million deal.

The offseason hasn’t exactly been what Suns fans were hoping for. Phoenix failed to acquire one of the top point guards in the draft, and the signing of Rubio felt underwhelming as many sought the services of D’Angelo Russell, who now will look to continue the next steps of Golden State’s dynasty.

Despite triggering an unexceptional feeling, the Rubio signing did fill a serious need. Plus, Rubio adds defense to a team that has ranked near the bottom of the league in defensive efficiency for the past three seasons.

The signing of Kaminsky and the trade for Saric doesn’t help out the defense though. The Timberwolves’ defensive rating was 2.2 points better with Saric off the floor last season; the Hornets’ was three points better with Kaminsky off the floor. Plus, the moves don’t follow the modern path that the rest of the league has taken despite the duo’s shooting numbers (Kaminsky shot 36% on three attempts per game while Saric shot 38.3% on 3.7 attempts per game).

One of the few positives that came out of the Ryan McDonough regime was the acceptance of and the adaptability to a changing NBA. An NBA where three pointers are shot at dizzying-high rates, where teams play small-ball at a higher percentage and where athleticism and fast-paced play is extremely common. With a potentially superstar-level player in Devin Booker, who at times has shown point guard qualities and is the type of player who should touch the ball every possession, shooters and a big man were needed to be placed around him.

McDonough went all-in on that mold. He drafted players like Josh Jackson, T.J. Warren, Mikal Bridges and Deandre Ayton and signed Trevor Ariza.

McDonough didn’t hit on everyone; Jackson may not be on the roster next season and misses like Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender didn’t stick around long for lottery picks.

The Suns looked like they were going to continue that wing-heavy trend after McDonough’s departure. They flipped Ariza and turned him into Kelly Oubre Jr., another young athletic wing who could defend.

But then draft night came, and the Suns’ new front office led by James Jones and Jeff Bower went more traditional. The team dumped Warren, their usual starter at the four spot last season, traded back for Saric, and then took North Carolina product Cameron Johnson. Now with Kaminsky in the picture and no clear resolution to Oubre Jr.’s free agency, the Suns have two paths they could take.

Without Oubre Jr., the Suns have options with Rubio and Booker likely the starting backcourt.

If the Suns want to start Saric, a player who spent most of his time in Philadelphia as a starter before coming off the bench for Minnesota after the Jimmy Butler trade, that boils the three-spot down to Mikal Bridges or Johnson, both players who, despite being young guys, could be impactful right away due to their older age and experience in big games; Johnson shot 45.7% from three last season at UNC and has a long frame. Bridges’ percentages were lower than expected last season at 33.5% from behind the arc, but his defensive presence and college percentages (40% from three during his three-year career) could lead to improvement.

Both players have the tools to be impactful.

With Saric and Kaminsky possibly getting veteran minutes though, and a decision looming on Oubre Jr., the two wings could see a more limited role. Jackson could figure to be involved, but his on-court struggles and two offseason incidents leaves his roster spot in question.

If the Suns don’t bring Oubre Jr. back, they’d be losing a solid piece for nothing. Oubre Jr. was rejuvenated in Phoenix, shooting the highest percentage from the field ever in his career, playing frenetic defense and stuffing box scores.

The Kaminsky and Saric acquisitions leave the Suns with questions to answer regarding the distribution of minutes. Saric was not thrilled with his limited, off-the-bench role with the Timberwolves, and committing two years to Kaminsky, even at the cheap price of $5 million a year, could mean that the Suns plan to carve out minutes for him as well. Oubre Jr. is an obvious starter if he returns, but that means less time for Johnson and Bridges.

With the league going smaller by switching on defense while valuing athleticism on their roster, the Suns have taken a bit of a different approach. Saric and Kaminsky both bring the ability to shoot the three-ball, but don’t have reputations as defenders. Johnson and Bridges bring youth and potential and could use minutes to show that off.

If Bridges and Johnson perform, they could force the Suns to play them. The rest of free agency and training camp still has to come, but when it comes to options on the wing, the Suns have two potential paths. It will be their decision on the one to take.