The Phoenix Suns had no draft picks during the 2022 NBA offseason, but did that even matter as they kept some big names?
For the Suns, it definitely seems like the most important offseason moves can still be made, especially with the Kevin Durant issues still out in the open.
According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, KD listed Phoenix as one of his top landing spots. The Suns might still end up winning the summer if they can sign him without giving up a hefty package. The chances of that happening? Extremely unlikely, but not impossible.
Report: At least a 3rd team would be required to facilitate a Durant trade to Phoenix or Miami;
“The Nets would want more than Ayton and Bridges from the Suns. Herro, as the main trade chip for the Heat, wouldn’t scratch the surface of what the Nets want.”
(via @MikeAScotto) pic.twitter.com/eKsHBynHrt
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 2, 2022
Durant has played in 90 regular-season games over the past three years, but he is entering his 34th season and won't always be an MVP contender. Over in Arizona, the Suns are among the one-piece-away teams that may most successfully justify mortgaging its future for a few years of KD. Having said that, Durant is far from a championship guarantee. He also probably won't fetch the kind of value he and the Brooklyn Nets think he is worth.
As things stand, the Suns kept DeAndre Ayton instead of shipping him out for KD or Myles Turner or someone else. With Ayton returning, Phoenix's starting five should remain the same for the third consecutive year, while important bench players like Cameron Payne and Cam Johnson have also stayed put.
It seems obvious to retain the nucleus of the franchise's strongest squad together. Despite how disgraceful Phoenix's Game 7 defeat was, there is enough evidence to believe that this team can still contend for the championship in the West. Their window has not yet closed.
The truth is Ayton, Chris Paul, and Devin Booker complement each other beautifully on the floor. Ayton, in particular, is adaptable on both sides of the court, and he is becoming a better team defender and offensive scorer as well.
If that big three continues to play together, the Suns will have a very high floor this coming season. On the other hand, don't be surprised if Ayton's name resurfaces in trade speculations at some point in early 2023.
Before we look too far ahead, though, let's assess the Suns' moves this offseason.
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Suns 2022 NBA offseason grades
Trades: C+
The Phoenix Suns made just one trade in the offseason, and it was for Australian Jock Landale, whom they got from the Atlanta Hawks. Landale played for the San Antonio Spurs last season and averaged 4.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 54 games. The Spurs packaged him shipped to the Hawks in recent weeks as part of the Dejounte Murray trade. Now, he flies back southwest to Phoenix.
Landale is an Olympic bronze-medallist with the Australia Boomers. He should provide depth at center for Phoenix. Recall that the Suns recently lost top backup JaVale McGree to the Dallas Mavericks via free agency. Landale should play behind DeAndre Ayton and maybe even behind Bismack Biyombo in the middle.
Draft: F
When the 2022 NBA Draft concluded, the Phoenix Suns walked away with no new draftees. It was the first time since 1998 that Phoenix didn't make any draft picks.
Entering the draft, rumors swirled around the Suns and the potential of hopping back into the draft. When the dust settled, though, they came up empty.
Keep in mind that the Suns' original 2022 first round pick was packaged in the trade that landed Chris Paul with the Thunder. Meanwhile, their original 2022 second round pick was used to acquire Torrey Craig.
Free Agency: A
Phoenix's prolonged song and dance with Ayton off the court was uncomfortable to witness. The Suns effectively avoided offering Ayton a five-year contract for considerably more per year by not extending him last season. That prevented him from securing an outside offer.
Eventually, the Suns kept Ayton by matching the Indiana Pacers' offer, but have all these things made any sort of impact on the team's cohesiveness?
Deandre Ayton:
“I got to give a lot of respect to the Pacers organization. They were aggressive from the start and showing a lot of love. And we agreed to a max offer sheet. The Suns matched. Now, I'm back in Phoenix as a Sun.”
(via @andscape, https://t.co/b7CJFZMqz1) pic.twitter.com/tvbhnWkMnd
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 19, 2022
It seems strange to use this kind of strategy with a previous No. 1 pick. Remember that Ayton has emerged as a crucial component of a title contender, especially given his potential. Moving forward, the success of this squad will depend as much on getting everyone on the same page with their goals as they pursue a championship as it will on what happens in the paint.
It's good then that they extended Devin Booker to a four-year, $224 million maximum contract. Phoenix has made Booker the face of this franchise, whether they keep Ayton long-term or otherwise.
Phoenix also re-signed another backup center in defensive-minded Bismack Biyombo. They also added two shooting guards in free agents Josh Okogie (from the Minnesota Timberwolves) and Damion Lee (from the Golden State Warriors).
Biyombo played well after joining the Suns midway through last season. He should see a larger role as a rim protector. McGee's departure also opens up more minutes for the veteran center.
Okogie, meanwhile, is a terrific defender. If he can be taught to hit the occasional three, Okogie may see rotation minutes in the playoffs. He and Lee add some depth to a Suns team that managed to add talent on the margins while still playing the waiting game on bigger moves.
Overall: C+
There was much-reported discord between Ayton and the Suns organization and questions about how he was valued. Still, they certainly wasted no time matching the Pacers' max offer sheet to retain the 23-year-old former No. 1 pick. The Suns cannot trade him until January 2023. That eliminates him as a piece in a potential Kevin Durant deal if it takes place this offseason.
Booker's extension means that Phoenix is going to get the band back together at least for the first part of the coming season. That makes sense given that they had the best record in the NBA following a Finals appearance. Perhaps they handled things poorly by not just maxing out Ayton last summer. In basketball terms, however, they should be just as potent next season.
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