Phoenix Suns: Steve Kerr and Terry Porter Try to Look Toward Youth

Shawn Marion's been gone for a few months now, now so is coach Mike D'Antoni. Determining whether or not these alterations are for the better will still take some time.

For years, the Suns have been fighting off the youth movement, constantly selling and dumping draft picks to keep their all-stars and go for the trophy. Neither that personnel strategy, nor former coach D'Antoni's run-first-worry -about-defense-later (never) approach to game planning was able to get Steve Nash and his teammates a ring.

So now, in contrast to the past several off-seasons, huge gusting winds of change will be blowing through Phoenix instead of a subtle desert breeze.

Terry Porter is in as a coach, and hopefully coming with him, are some more younger players, and a grittier approach on D. The sure things for next years squad are Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Shaq, and the few youngsters already on board, like DJ Strawberry.

For the most part beyond that, next season's roster is a question mark. Flashy, but often defensively challenged, guys like Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa could be on the move for pieces better suited for what Porter is looking for. Also, rumors abound that GM Steve Kerr is searching for another first round draft pick, while in years past, those picks have been carelessly tossed away to bring mistakes like Marcus Banks.

Someone like Texas PG DJ Augustin would be a great young understudy for Nash, but is unlikely to still be there for Kerr and Co. to pluck, barring a move up the first round ladder. As an alternative to a rookie like Augustin, the Suns could look to trade for someone like the Raptor's TJ Ford who once played under Porter in Milwaukee.

A two-guard like Brandon Rush would be a great fit to help restore the Suns perimeter game, which has been lacking since the departure of guys like James Jones, and will deflate even further if they're unable to retain mid-season pickup Gordan Giricek.

In Round Two, (or later in Round One if Kerr gets his wish for more picks) Phoenix should look for either a PF or a C to learn under Shaq and Amare, or add even more players to the perimeter, such as JR Giddens of New Mexico.

Whatever the draft and the rest of the off-season holds for the transitioning Suns, it will certainly be more interesting and productive than a Shaquille O'Neal freestyle.