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NLL Insider - Team by Team: Phoenix Suns

by jmac, updated on Monday, October 16 2017, 03:24 pm EST



2016-17 Finish: 34-48

 

Season Highlight: 

In what was a disappointing season for the Suns in terms of wins and failing expectations, what they did do well was make positive trades for the franchise. The season highlight could well have been acquiring Al Horford before the season even started (more on that later). This trade signified a few things. It showed the franchise could negotiate and offer assets in return effectively, a very important skill in the NLL. It showed that Phoenix was looking to win, and was a team that was willing to pay their stars and surround them with talent. While the wins didn’t roll in in 2016-17, the good energy did. Fast forward a year, Phoenix now possesses a team that is playoff-worthy. So, in closing, the season highlight was more about the positive characteristics for the front office as opposed to wins on the court.

 

Season Lowlight:

 

The expectations were reasonable for Phoenix, with fans and GM alike expecting the Suns to make the playoffs. Pennywise signalled as much, moving current first round pick to bring in win now talent. However, chemistry didn’t really click throughout the whole season for the Suns. Add to that a host of heartbreaking close losses and injuries to a somewhat shallow squad, it saw that plummet to 14 games under .500 to finish the 2016-17 season.  


Best/Worst Trade:

 

Best trade –

 

The Boston Celtics send Al Horford to the Phoenix Suns.

The Phoenix Suns send a 1st-Rounder (Pho) and 2nd-Rounder (Pho) to the Boston Celtics.

Phoenix also later sent Ed Davis and 35 GM to Boston to complete the deal.

 

The Suns, after a year of hindsight, absolutely fleeced the Celtics in this deal. Horford is as good as he has ever been and fits the ever-evolving NLL like a glove, having a diverse set of skills and extremely high basketball IQ. It gave Phoenix a second star player to play alongside Kemba Walker and much kudos has to be given to them for being able to close the deal after months of negotiations. With both Walker and Horford, the Suns were able to convince Wilson Chandler to stay and encourage the brass to go after guys like Clarkson and Gortat.

Boston, after feeling they had to cut cap somewhere, ended up with a fist full of not much, after moving on the first rounder (pick 11 I believe) to another team, blowing the 35 GM points on FA day and having nothing to show for it and they still currently have the 2ndrounder. Ed Davis’ had the worst season of his career and if wasn’t injured, he was busily finding ways to see his ratings plummet. 

Huge win for the Suns


Worst trade –

The Suns actually traded very well during the 2016-17 season. If I had to choose one trade that was the ‘worst’, it would be:

The Chicago Bulls send  Meyers Leonard to the Phoenix Suns. The Chicago Bulls send  Jamal Crawford to the Washington Wizards. The Phoenix Suns send  Joakim Noah to the Chicago Bulls. The Washington Wizards send Jameer Nelson to the Chicago Bulls. The Washington Wizards send  Jodie Meeks to the Phoenix Suns. 


The Chicago Bulls trade -4 GM points.The Washington Wizards receive 4 GM points.

 

Whilst Joakim Noah is injured half the time, and has a terrible contract, when he does play, he is a monster on the glass and the defensive side of the ball. Leonard, on the other hand, makes almost as much money as Noah and has been unable to progress and develop at all as a player in almost half a decade in the league. Jodie Meeks was injured and had no real impact on the league last season. 

An oft-injured, great defensive big man for an overpaid stiff and an injured three point specialist.

(I must re-affirm that I believe the Suns had a good year of trading and came out on the good side of the deal almost every time, in my opinion)

Best FA Signing:


Jon Leuer – Phoenix was not a destination for free agents last off-season and Leuer genuinely could have been the most impactful player they lured. An athletic, versatile big man who continues to improve, although on a somewhat expensive contract, was the most appealing asset the Suns got from free agency.

 

Worst FA Signing:

 
Alan Anderson – possibly a bit harsh to call Anderson the worst signing, but Phoenix attracted nothing but role players. At least Leuer, Johnson, Delaney all have some ability or value as an asset. Anderson failed to have any real impact and has likely played his last minutes in the NLL during his 2016-17 stint.

Star:


Kemba Walker – Just ask Penny… Kemba Walker is a stud. And, looking towards the coming season, he probably has had no better chance to find success with the Suns organisation. Last season, although the team’s standing in the league was disappointing, Walker put up numbers – 20.2 points, 9.8 assists and 3.7 rebounds – a walking double-double for an entire season. On top of all of that, he is a very loyal and level-headed guy, always striving to improve his game in between seasons. Oh, and did you hear that Walker is on a great contract, too?
 

Surprise:


Spencer Dinwiddie – a young prospect that has bounced around the league for the last few years, Dinwiddie found the most consistent role/playing time he has had in his career to date, backing up Kemba Walker. Whilst not being a standout, he was very steady and took care of the ball and the offense while he was on the court. His outlook is improving in the NBA and he has terrific size (6’6’’) and physical attributes for a point guard.
 

Goat:


Al Horford – this is very harsh, but I am still salty and I just think Al, with all the expectations Phoenix had for him to take them to the next level, was disappointing. Sure, he scored 19 and pulled down 9 rebounds a game, but it was underwhelming (in 35 minutes a game). He shot just 47% from the field, which is poor for a big man (and quite an efficient big man, at that). He shot under 80% from the free throw line and just seemed to disappear in a lot of big moments in close games. Look for Horf to bounce back in a big way next season.

Draft Report Card: (via Merencio)

Phoenix Suns

 

No. 44 â€“ Davon Reed

No. 55 â€“ Aplha Kaba

 

Reed was actually picked at 32 in the NBA and dropped 12 spots to the Suns who pulled the trigger on good value and a player who can pretty much score from anywhere in the court, though he’s a  bit older than most prospects, he has a good chance to be Malcolm Brogdon-like, because of where he was picked. Then at 55, the suns tool the actual Mr. Irrelevant of the NBa in Alpha Kaba, who’s also in the running for coolest name of the draft and actually a good prospect from the Mega Leks factory who’s a 6-10 guy with great length, rebounding numbers and promising shooting touch although a little on the skinny side.

 

Grade: C

 

 

Looking to the Future:

 

The Suns are in the best position to make the playoffs out of the last few seasons. In the past few years they have been able to accrue enough win-now talent to hopefully consolidate a middle playoff spot. Horford, Walker didn’t have enough help last year and the chemistry just wasn’t there. Now, they trot out a very complete starting five and some boosted depth with the acquisitions of Clarkson, Gortat. Playoffs or bust, but I believe they will be there and they could be a fun team, too. Whomever starts on the bench out of Clarkson or Hardaway Jr will likely threaten for sixth man.
 

Upcoming Free Agents:

Tim Hardaway Jr (RFA) – Hardaway Jr had somewhat of a breakout season last year. With Phoenix holding the right to match any offer, expect him to stay a Sun.

Jeff Withey (UFA) – Withey is a solid third-string big man. He has a role in the league but it is just as likely to be on another team as staying in Phoenix. Can be replaced quite easily, and post-Gortat trade, Suns have more big man depth.

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