The Phoenix Suns came into the 2023-24 NBA season hoping to be championship contenders. They had added Kevin Durant at the 2023 NBA trade deadline and followed that up by aquiring Bradley Beal in a trade with the Washington Wizards in the offseason. But the Suns were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves. This offseason, the Suns need to add quality bench depth to their roster.
The Suns starting five is actually not bad compared to the rest of the league and the Western Conference. They sport Devin Booker and Bradley Beal at guard, Grayson Allen and Kevin Durant at forward and Jusuf Nurkic at center. That lineup was rather effective this season.
Contrary to popular belief, the Suns don’t need a starting point guard. Booker was effective as the primary ball-handler and playmaker. He averaged a career high 6.9 assists compared to 2.6 turnovers.
Where the Suns struggled throughout the season was having capable and consistent bench depth. They averaged a a league-low 26.6 points per game in bench scoring. Depth is necessary to win the NBA. The only issue for the Suns is they have a lot of money tied up in their top 4-5 guys. They pretty much only have the veterans minimum to offer to improve the rotation.
With new head coach Mike Budenholzer coming in for the 2024-25 season, there are expectations that this Suns team will be among the best in the West. Certainly better than a first round sweep. Despite not having a much available cap space to spend this offseason, the Suns can still add quality players in free agency who can help the team next season.
The Suns can address their bench woes in free agency
The Suns offseason looks similar to last year in that all of their free agent additions are going to come from minimum contracts. The Suns signed a few players to minimum deals ahead of the 2023-24 season, but none of them were able to make a consistent impact.
Two of those heralded signings, Yuta Watanabe and Keita Bates-Diop are no longer on the team as they were moved at the trade deadline. The Suns cannot have a repeat of last offseason if they want to be legit contenders.
A capable backup to Jusuf Nurkic is one of the Suns most pressing needs. One name that will be available this offseason is Boston Celtics big man Xavier Tillman. Tillman had a career year in 2022-23 with the Memphis Grizzlies, filling in for the injured Steven Adams.
Tillman was moved to the Celtics at the deadline as the Grizzlies were in clear tank mode and the Celtics were solidifying their depth ahead of the NBA playoffs. He hasn’t been used much with the Celtics but he can be an effective backup center. He’s closer to the player that averaged 7.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 2022-23.
Daniel Theis is another player the Suns could target that fits well with their style of play. He also likely won’t command more than the minimum. Theis was acquired by the Los Angeles Clippers after an injury to Mason Plumlee.
Theis played well for the Clippers before being benched in the playoffs in favor of Plumlee. He’s a floor spacer who can shoot from three-point range consistently. He shot 37.1 percent from distance with the Clippers. He is undersized but tough and fits well in a backup role.
Andre Drummond is another free agent big man the Suns could use. He probably doesn’t fit as well as Theis and Tillman in the Suns style of play, but he’s big, he takes up space and he’s still capable as a backup. Drummond averaged 8.4 and 9.0 rebounds.
In terms of free agent wings, the Suns need to re-sign Royce O’Neale. O’Neale was a good acquisition at the trade deadline and was one of the team’s most consistent players after their Big 3. He’s a 3&D guy capable of guarding tough perimeter matchups.
The Suns could also use a backup point guard. Booker is fine as the starting point guard. Delon Wright and Monte Morris are available free agents. Even a veteran like Kyle Lowry wouldn’t be a bad option. Lowry was solid for the Philadelphia 76ers after the buyout deadline and into the playoffs.
In any case, the Suns need a serious retool with their bench.
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