Phoenix Suns: 10 Players They Should Target in 2011 NBA Free Agency
The Phoenix Suns are having an up and down year and most likely will not make the playoffs. This will not sit well with the fans and management should be willing to take a look at the free agent market.
The team doesn't have many needs other than a power forward, another wing player, and a starting shooting guard.
Here on some players from the 2011 Free Agent class who could improve the Phoenix Suns.
No. 10: Michael Redd, Milwuakee Bucks
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Yes, Michael Redd has been out for the better part of the last two years, and that is the reason the Suns should take a look at him. He will be incredibly cheap and there is almost no way he goes back to Milwuakee.
When Redd was healthy, he was one of the most dangerous shooters in the league and could score 30 on any night. When he returns around March, he should be extremely rusty but if he could work very hard this off-season, then he could be a hot commodity.
It most likely wouldn't take more than $2 million to sign Redd and if he returns to his former self then it will be an absolute steal.
No. 9: Jamal Crawford, Atlanta Hawks
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Jamal Crawford is one of the best players in the league who comes of the bench, just last year he was the Sixth Man of the Year. He has the potential to go off at any point, which he does often.
He is currently averaging 15.9 points, 3.4 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and .88 steals per game, and that's in 42 games off the bench. His numbers could go up dramatically in the Suns system.
If the Suns could get someone to be the starter while Crawford came off the bench, then the team could be extremely deadly.
No. 8: Glen Davis, Boston Celtics
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Glen "Big Baby" Davis is one of the best players off the Boston Celtic's bench and is having a great season so far. He is currently averaging 12.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and .91 steals per game. The most impressive part is those numbers are mostly off the bench.
Davis could help the Phoenix Suns off the bench and would solidify the backup power forward role for seasons to come, and it would give the Suns a capable body who could start when needed.
Once again, the one problem could be money. Davis will no doubt get a pay raise this off-season and should get around $5 million a year. If Suns owner Robert Sarver is willing to spend then he should definitely look at Glen Davis.
No. 7: J.R. Smith, Denver Nuggets
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J.R. Smith has some of the most useful skills in the league, he can shoot the lights out and he is extremely athletic. His problem is consistency, he goes through stretches where he looks un-guardable and then stretches where he throws up wild shots and misses them.
When he is on, he is one of the best pure scorers in the league. He could be a potential match made in heaven with the Suns. He fits the mold of the Suns perfectly.
His services will no doubt be in demand this off-season and if the Suns could get him at a three or four year deal for around $15-20 million, then he could be a steal.
No. 6: Vince Carter, Phoenix Suns
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Vince Carter has not played his best basketball the last couple years but is still a reliable scorer in the league. With his salary at $18 million for next season and a buyout clause for $4 million, the team will no doubt buyout his contract and hopefully negotiate a one or two year deal for around $8-14 million.
Since coming to the Phoenix Suns, he has been a solid rebounder and scorer. He still has some gas left in the tank and could provide the team with a solid starting shooting guard.
If Vince does not demand too much money, he could be the starter and the team could get either J.R. Smith or Jamal Crawford to be the backup.
No. 5: Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
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Zach Randolph is one of the most dependable big men in the league, he will give at least 20 points and 10 rebounds on a nightly basis. He is currently averaging 20.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and .7 steals per game.
If the Suns could get him, they would have a dynamic front court of Zach Randolph, Marcin Gortat, and either Grant Hill or Jared Dudley. That would have to be one of the best front courts in the league.
Randolph would be the stabilizer at the power forward spot and would dramatically improve the team. The only problem would be money. Owner Robert Sarver is famous for not spending and Randolph is sure to want around $10 million a year.
No. 4: Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns
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Yes, I realize Grant Hill is one of the oldest players in the league but he is one of the leaders of the Phoenix Suns. He is the best defender on the team and a reliable scoring threat.
He is currently averaging 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and .8 blocks per game. All at the ripe age of 38. To his credit, he has missed around five season worth of games. So technically he has less mileage than one might think of a 38-year-old.
Regardless of what people say about his age, he still has a solid two years left in him I estimate. He is too valuable to the team for the Suns to let him go. Hill will probably take a minimal contract for the team also, which would allow the team to look at other free agents also.
No. 3: Nick Young, Washington Wizards
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Nick Young has really come into his own this season and is a restricted free agent at the end of this season. He is a dynamic scorer and has been very good over the last two months. He started out the season slow but has shown he is a proven scorer since then.
Personally, I think the Suns should try to trade for Young and then resign him because he is a restricted free agent and Washington can match any offer. I believe he is a very capable player who could start for the Suns next season.
Nick Young is only 25-years-old and could be on the team for years to come. He also has great height for a shooting guard (6'7") and is a solid shooter. He would be a great fit in Phoenix and should definitely be targeted by the Suns.
No. 2: David West, New Orleans Hornets
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David West is one of the best power forwards in the league and also one of the best shooting big men in the league. He is currently averaging 19 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal per game. Those are very good numbers and put him in consideration for the all star game every year.
For the Suns, West would provide the spacing that Steve Nash needs and could still be counted on to post up and score effectively The Suns would be incredibly dangerous down low with Marcin Gortat and David West.
Once again there is a problem, money. The big question is, how much is owner Robert Sarver willing to pay? West will no doubt ask for a annual salary of more than $10 million and Sarver is incredibly stingy.
No. 1: Jeff Green, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Jeff Green is a young, athletic power forward who has a very good shooting touch. In my opinion, he would make the Phoenix Suns dramatically better on both ends of the floor.
Jeff Green will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season and his services will be coveted around the league. The Thunder might not want to re-sign Green considering he will most likely ask for a annual salary in excess of $6-7 million, if that is the case then the Suns need to be on the phone with his agent.
Green would solidify the power forward position for many years and would give the team a building block after Nash retires.
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