It has been well known that the Suns are desperately trying to add a superstar this offseason, and with $33.5 million in cap space, Phoenix has found not one, but two targets: LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. James and Anthony both recently opted out of the final year of their contract to pursue free agency.
Hypothetically speaking, with the addition of James and Anthony, the Suns would be set up for sustained success into the future. At point guard would be Goran Dragic, who won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award after averaging 20.8 points per game, while dishing out 5.9 assists per game. Off the bench at point guard would be the recently-drafted Tyler Ennis. At shooting guard would be Eric Bledsoe. Bledsoe averaged 17.7 points per game and 5.5 assists, pairing with Dragic to be one of the most – if not the most – lethal backcourts in the NBA.
Gerald Green who averaged 15.8 points in a breakout year would backup Bledsoe, and also probably see time at the small forward position as well. LeBron would play small forward, where he would be a perennial MVP candidate, as he always is. Behind James at small forward would be TJ Warren, the Suns’ No. 14 overall pick in this year’s draft. Carmelo Anthony could then play power forward. Melo averaged 27.8 points, while snagging 8.1 rebounds per game this past season.
Behind Anthony would be Markieff Morris, who had a very solid season for the 24-year old getting a grasp of the NBA, averaging 13.8 points, with 6 rebounds per game. At center would be Miles Plumlee. The Plum-dog isn’t much of a scorer, but is a very good rebounder and defender. Alex Len would share time with Plumlee, as the 21-year old continues to develop his game.
Right there is a team that would be atop the league in points per game. With the guidance of Coach Jeff Hornacek, the team should gel into a group that will undoubtedly compete for a championship.
The Suns wouldn’t just be set up well for next season, but they would be set up very well for the years to come. As Dragic’s contract expires in a few years, Tyler Ennis, who is now 19-years old, would take over at point guard. Bledsoe, 24 years old, and Archie Goodwin, 20 years old, would mann the shooting guard position.
TJ Warren, now 20, would back up LeBron at small forward, while Markieff Morris, now 24, would back up Anthony at power forward. The Suns are youthful at center as well, with Miles Plumlee being 25, and the prospect center, Alex Len, being 21. Assuming James and Anthony sign long-term, Phoenix would be a perennial playoff power for the next five years at least.
Another enticing thing to consider, especially after mentioning long-term contracts for James and Anthony, is the training staff at Phoenix. Whatever their trick is, the training staff has been tremendous with keeping veteran (dare I say old) players healthy as if the arena sits on a fountain of youth. Players like Steve Nash, Grant Hill, and Shaquille O’Neal have experienced successful and healthy seasons in Phoenix near the end of their careers.
On top of all of the attractions inside the arena, the city of Phoenix itself has to be an attractive destination for LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and their families.
If I were in their shoes, there would be many things that I would consider before signing with a new team. Firstly, I would try to make as much money as I possibly can. Say what you want about players getting paid too much, but I completely understand why they would want to make the maximum amount of money that they can. With that being said, the Suns would be more than willing to break out the checkbook in order to sign both James and Anthony. However, Phoenix isn’t quite the attention-getting market that Miami, New York, or Los Angeles is, so endorsement deals could possibly become less appealing. Although, with two superstars in James and Anthony, Phoenix would be in the spotlight.
Second would be the city, and Phoenix would be a fabulous place for a family to live. The weather need not be mentioned. Thirdly would be winning. I would want to play where I was best set up to compete for a championship every year, and after analyzing the roster possibilities for the present and the future years, Phoenix might be the best destination in the NBA for that.
Realistically, landing both LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony is a long-shot for the Suns, and would be very surprising to see happen. However, James and Bosh teaming up with Dwyane Wade and signing in Miami back in the offseason of 2010 was just about as far-fetched of an idea before it actually happened. Regardless, Phoenix would be a very appealing destination for both LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
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