Phoenix Suns: 3 Free Agents To Solve the Starting Shooting Guard Issue

The Phoenix Suns are in the middle of rebuilding and contending for a playoff spot, which is an interesting crossroads to be at. With more veterans than young players, it seems like management is content to fight for playoff spots and keep veterans. That means players like Steve Nash and Grant Hill are still big contributors, but doesn't mean younger players can't be brought in.

There is no question the team has to get younger and shooting guard is the perfect position to start a youth movement. That doesn't mean a younger, less-proven player will be instantly inserted into a starting role but a Shannon Brown or Arron Afflalo would be perfect. If the younger options are already signed, expect a veteran like Jason Richardson to be targeted at a one-year deal.

Read on for three realistic options to take over the starting 2-guard role in Phoenix. 

Shannon Brown

Shannon Brown is easily one of the best athletes in the entire NBA, and has greatly improved himself over the past year as a basketball player. No longer is he just a freak athlete; he can shoot consistently and play lockdown defense. Also, it doesn't hurt that he guarded Kobe every day in practice. 

Brown would be the best fit for the team since he's young (he turns 26 years old during the season) and full of potential. If he plays like he did off the bench of the Los Angeles Lakers, he'll help the Suns dramatically. Maybe he'll even have a couple huge games against his, possible, former team. 

It would probably take a three-year $15-18 million or four-year $20-22 million contract to sign Brown and considering his upside, it's an affordable price tag. For someone only 25 years old and so dynamic, it would be a big deal to sign Brown.  

Arron Afflalo

Arron Afflalo has really come into his own the last couple years and is one of the better defensive shooting guards in the league. When he plays shutdown defense and starts making threes, he is even more deadly and the Suns would love to have his mix of offense and defense.

The Suns have quietly assembled several good defensive wing players and Afflalo would fit right in. Grant Hill, Jared Dudley, Mickael Pietrus, Josh Childress and Afflalo would give the Suns a very good defensive unit on the wings, marking the shift from solely offensive players to more balanced players.

Afflalo could be probably be signed at a similar contract to Shannon Brown, and would be a big steal for the Suns. Afflalo is also much more likely to leave the Denver Nuggets now that J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler and Kenyon Martin have all left the team to play basketball in China, but that also means the Nuggets will try harder to sign him. 

Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson had a couple successful years in Phoenix and was the best shooting guard the team had since Joe Johnson. He really solidified the position with his athleticism and sweet stroke from deep. After he was traded to the Orlando Magic in the deal that brought Marcin Gortat to the Suns, Richardson performed sporadically and probably isn't going back to Orlando.

Richardson still has the ability to play but he's definitely getting up there in age (he will turn 31 years old during the season). The Suns need to be careful with adding an older player for two reasons: Firstly, they don't need any more age considering Steve Nash (will turn 38 years old during the season) and Grant Hill (will be 39 years old before the season) are on the roster, and secondly, they don't want another Vince Carter (an older player who breaks down during the season). 

Signing Richardson should be a much lower priority but he isn't a bad backup plan to have if the Suns can't sign Afflalo or Brown. A one-year contract for around $4-7 million would be a good deal and let the Suns go after a high-profile shooting guard like Eric Gordon or O.J. Mayo in the 2012 free-agent class.