May 29 — After a successful 2013-14 campaign, the Phoenix Suns remain one of the more youthful teams in the NBA. That youthfulness gives GM Ryan McDonough plenty of flexibility for making improvements this offseason. With all of the possible acquisitions, it sounds as if Phoenix will either make a big trade, or a free agent signing to make sure the Suns don’t miss out on the playoffs next season.
However, as much as adding a solid veteran would help the team, I can’t help but look at the Suns’ possibilities from another angle. Their youth makes me wonder if they should hang onto their prospects, rather than give them up in a trade. Instead of implementing the “win-now” mode, perhaps the Suns could try to compete in a couple of years when the likes of Alex Len (20), Archie Goodwin (19), and potential 2014 draft picks develop as well.
That would give Eric Bledsoe (24), assuming the Suns lock him up long-term, a few years to get into his prime. Goran Dragic (28) might be on the decline by then, but he is a very hard worker, so it is possible that he could sustain success for the years to come. Gerald Green (28) could continue to improve and develop as a scorer. The Morris twins (24) could improve into solid players at the power forward position. That could, with Len at center, could become a very nice starting five for Phoenix. Along with Goodwin’s contributions off the bench, and potentially Nik Stauskas, or Doug McDermott, or Dario Saric… someone from this year’s draft coming off the bench as well. Plumlee, although a long-shot, could even improve to become a solid center off the bench if he adds a mid-range game. And then, the Suns could add the appropriately needed role-players after getting their main players set.
While I’m not saying that this is the path that Phoenix should pursue this offseason, it is a viable option to consider. Regardless, this path is riddled with predictions and uncertainty, unlike the addition of a superstar in the likes of Carmelo Anthony would be. However, acquiring a superstar is no easy task. With all of the options that the Suns do have, I think the top priority should be to bring in a star player via free agency. If that falls through, I don’t think the Suns should settle for less than their top target. After that, the focus should be turned to developing the current players, and then the draft. Trade picks for a higher pick, if need be, otherwise draft the best available talent in hopes that they develop into a star, who can help make a championship run with a group of youngsters turned veterans in the years to come.
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