Dario Saric‘s fate will be among the most important decisions facing the Suns this offseason, writes Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Saric started 50 of the 58 games he played in his first season in Phoenix, but averaged a career-low 10.1 PPG. Rankin notes that the team would like to find a more athletic power forward, but Saric has proven his value by playing hard, moving the ball and being a good locker-room influence.
Saric, who turned 26 this week, is already on his third team in four NBA seasons. The Suns can make him a restricted free agent in the offseason by extending a $5MM qualifying offer.
There’s more today from Phoenix:
- Monty Williams has made a difference in his first year as Suns coach, just as league general managers predicted in a preseason survey, Rankin adds in a separate story. Williams was the choice of 43% of GMs among “new or relocated” head coaches expected to have a positive impact on their new team. Phoenix has more wins than in any of the past four years, even though the season has been put on hold with 17 games remaining and center Deandre Ayton was suspended for 25 games. With Williams at the helm, Devin Booker became an all-star for the first time, Kelly Oubre posted his best season and the team rose from 29th to 19th in defensive rating.
- Point guard could be an emphasis for Phoenix in the draft, writes Kevin Zimmerman of Arizona Sports, who agrees with ESPN’s Jonathan Givony that the team would have interest in Tyrese Haliburton and Killian Hayes. In his latest mock draft, Givony has Haliburton being selected with the ninth pick, one ahead of the Suns, assuming they remain in the 10th slot. Zimmerman believes either would be a productive backup to Ricky Rubio, and at 6’5″ they both have the size to handle either backcourt position. Among point guards already on the roster, Elie Okobo‘s contract isn’t fully guaranteed for next season, while Jevon Carter will be a restricted free agent.
- Ty Jerome talks to Ben Rohrbach of Yahoo Sports about an eventful rookie year that included two trades shortly after the draft, an early-season ankle injury that sidelined him for six weeks and now a coronavirus lockdown.
Knew Williams would be a good coach and he has been great.
Suns should draft a PG to play the sixth man role, who can develop behind Rubio and then eventually take over the starting position and fits along side Booker.
Cole Anthony, Tyrese Haliburton, Killian Hayes are good fits and good talents. Outside these 3 Nico Mannion, RJ Hampton and Theo Maledon all could be possible selections too.
With so such talent available at PG and not a huge sudden need for a starter they could trade down with the Kings at 12 knowing they won’t select a PG cause they have Fox and Joseph. Or even with Blazers at 14th if it meant getting back a little something extra. Kings have 3 second round picks and Portland have young role players Gary Trent Jr and Nassir Little.
1st three could all be gone by the time suns draft.
Rj Hampton and Mannion could probably be there.
But if the suns want Haliburton or anthony they’d probably need to trade up.
Kings should stand pat and look at either Jaden mcdaniels or precious achiwua to add some length and athleticism to their forward positions.
Idk in not particular order I have Wiseman Ball Avdija Toppin Okungwu Anthony and Edwards as the top 7 players.
Then you have two picks before the suns, who are sitting at 10th. The best 3 best player rounding out my top 10 are Haliburton Okoro and Hayes.
Maybe Anthony Hayes and Haliburton all aren’t on the board but I’m pretty sure atleast 1 would be.
If not they still Mannion Hampton and Maledon as solid PGs
I look at the Knicks, wizards, pistons as teams that will take a pg.
Pistons take Haliburton
Knicks take Anthony
Wizards take Hayes
Warriors take Edwards, Cavs take Wiseman, Wolves take Toppin, Hawks taking Okoro, Pistons Haliburton, Knicks Anthony, Bulls take Avdija, Hornets taking Oturu, Wizards taking Hayes, Suns taking Mannion, Spurs taking Okongwu, Kings taking Mcdaniels, Pelicans taking ball.
Don’t think Ball falls out of the top 10 and don’t think Oturu makes the top 10
Personally I think Anthony will be the best out of this group and Haliburton will be second best
Any idea what sorta deal Saric gets also? Seems like he only gets about 10 mil but he’s a floor spacing PF who can defend well and can be tougher. He’s also not old and could be developed further
I thought that the Celtics owned the Suns 1st round pick (top 7 protected) is if they hold the #9 pick wouldn’t that be the Celtics pick?
Nope, they got the pick from the suns but it’s Milwaukee’s pick and top 7 protected
Don’t be out here trying to predict which team should trade up or who’d gonna draft who till after the draft lottery, Lakers barely missed the playoffs and ended up with the 4th pick, Phoenix who won like 20 games was supposed to draft sixth.