Suns Will Set if Free Agents Walk
What goes up must inevitably go down.
Itโs the law of gravity and a harsh reality the Phoenix Suns will have to deal with next year unless they can keep their core of players together.
After an improbable season and playoff run, the Phoenix Sunsโ fanfare has quickly dissipated. The hype has turned into questions about the looming free agents on the squad.
Theย free agent period will see Amare Stoudemire, Channing Frye, Louis Amundson and Jarron Collins become free agents.
Amare, Frye and Lou have all said they want to stay, but Amare will likely get a long-term max contract elsewhere, and Frye and Lou will receive better offers because ofย their accomplishmentsย with the Suns.
One all star, two key contributors and an extra big man can be gone for nothing in return.
Itโs an enormous void especially for a tight-knit group that relied heavily on their chemistry.
During the 2010 NBA Draft the Suns braced themselves for the worst by drafting power forwards Gani Lawal and Dwayne Collins in the second round; 6โ9โ and 6โ8โ respectively.
Itโs foolish to think the draftees will make an immediate splash in Alvin Gentryโs rotation. The rookies figure to be projects that will not offer much offense but bring defense and rebounding stability.
But what if the free agents do walk?
Who will play with Robin Lopez in the frontcourt?
The Suns could promote Jared Dudley or Earl Clack to the starting lineup. This would change the rotation and the Suns will have to play small ball, a scary thought.
Lawal might even have to start unless the Suns sign a veteran big man, an even scarier thought. The only other frontcourt players beside Lopez under contract are Dwayne Jones, Taylor Griffin and Clark.
The feeling around the league is the Suns peaked and the Suns are setting.
To avoidย a nightmarish 2010-11 season, the Suns must do everything in their power to keep their key free agents. If they canโt, the only direction is back down to Earth for Planet Orange.
