Darren Collison may be the most realistic solution to the Suns‘ point guard problem, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. An unrestricted free agent, Collison spent the past two seasons with the Pacers, averaging 11.9 points and 5.3 assists per game during his time there.
He pushes the ball up court quickly, runs the pick-and-roll well, and is an above average defender, all things Phoenix needs from that position, Rankin states. The Suns should have enough cap room to make an attractive offer to Collison, who earned $10MM this season, and they have a connection, as Collison played for new VP of basketball operations Jeff Bower during his rookie season in New Orleans.
Phoenix could also pursue a couple of high-priced point guards if it wants to take a win-now approach, Rankin notes. The Grizzlies’ Mike Conley is expected to return to the trade market now that his team is in position to draft Ja Morant, while the Rockets may be willing to part with Chris Paul to get out from under his salary commitment.
There’s more tonight from Phoenix:
- The Suns could also try to get involved in the pursuit of Pelicans star Anthony Davis, Rankin adds in the same piece. He speculates they could offer Deandre Ayton and the No. 6 pick, along with T.J. Warren, Josh Jackson and Tyler Johnson to help match salaries. While Davis is no lock to re-sign in Phoenix, Rankin thinks it might be worth the risk to prove the organization is serious about winning and to give Davis a chance to develop a rapport with Devin Booker.
- Monty Williams considered staying out of coaching to care for his family, but his children insisted he give it another try, relays Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports. At his introductory press conference Tuesday, the Suns’ new head coach explained what brought him back to the game after his wife’s tragic death in 2016. “My oldest daughter kind of read me the riot act one day about getting back into coaching,” Williams said. “And then I had a conversation with (Spurs GM) R.C. Buford one day … R.C. looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Your kids won’t be happy if you don’t get back into coaching.’ Those two episodes really pushed me back into the mode of doing what I do well.”
- The reputation Phoenix has as a bad basketball city is an impediment to adding free agents, says Michelle Gardner of The Arizona Republic. Phoenix finished 27th in a recent “Best Cities for Basketball” survey and ranked next to last in attendance this season.
Phoenix would be STUPID to trade Ayton and the #6 (and the rest) for AD without him being re-signed. And it might not even be that good of an idea if he is re-signed.
Ya that’s lunacy haha
Ayton? I’d rather give them Booker. AD would rather that as well. 1) he doesn’t want to be more than a PT center, and 2) he likes to shoot some too.
Collison is a perfect fit for the Suns because he’ll get the ball to Ayton, make Booker more efficient and won’t command the kind of $$ and years that would clog the depth chart (and make it difficult to establish a PG for the future).
I think the Suns can pull off an AD trade without giving up Ayton. I would offer current pick, buck pick, and future top 3 protected. Then for players sending warren, Jackson along Oubre as a sign and trade.
Monty will make Ayton a star and Booker will benefit from all. In regards to PG, sign someone at the vet min like Rubio, Bev, or Rajon.
For everyone that says that’s crazy or won’t happen. A risk and a pitch needs to be made. Monty has a great relationship with AD, James Jones is well respected and bower worked with the pelicans. Griffin has a connection with the suns, regardless what happened with Sarver. I really believe the Suns are a dark horse for AD.
You aren’t getting Rubio or Beverley at the vet minimum. They are the two best PGs on the market. They aren’t going to be max players for sure, but you definitely aren’t getting them for the minimum.
Lol did you forget Kyrie is a free agent? And rozier?
It would be total madness for the Suns to trade for Conley or CP3.
Also to give Ayton total madness… who comes up with this ideas?
That was both stupid trade suggestions. Get real
The Suns are that stupid to make that type of trade! Look at the organization it is a raging tire fire. These fools are so desperate to sell tickets at premium prices they would sell the farm and siblings to make something happen.
Ayton is projected to be a more dominant force on offense then Davis and probably a better rebounder. Ayton is also going to be a lot stronger with deadly athleticism. So the real difference is Davis is better on defense and Ayton may never have the instincts of Davis on that end. Davis is more experienced and probably at the top of his peak. Ayton is still realizing what he is capable of now and may be a way more dominant force on offense and on the boards than Davis. I project Ayton to be a Shaq on offense with a midrange game and more athletic.