The Phoenix Suns enter the 2022-23 NBA season with one goal in mind: redemption. The Suns won a stellar 64 games last season and entered the playoffs as heavy favorites to win their first championship. They then flamed out and lost their second-round series against the Dallas Mavericks in humiliating fashion.
Despite the disappointing postseason, Phoenix is keeping its roster mostly intact. The Suns locked up franchise star Devin Booker to a four-year, $224 million extension. They also matched Deandre Ayton's four-year, $133 million offer sheet from Indiana to keep him in Phoenix after many trade rumors.
The Suns matching Ayton's offer sheet likely takes them out of the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. Durant named Phoenix as one of his top trade destinations when he requested a trade out of Brooklyn. However, the Suns are unable to trade Ayton, who could have been the centerpiece of a trade package, until January 15.
Phoenix only lost some depth pieces from last season's squad such as JaVale McGee. The Suns also haven't added any major pieces, indicating they are content to run it back. While they may be happy to do so, there are still some moves they should make maximize their title chances.
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2 biggest needs Phoenix must still address to win 2023 NBA Finals
Lock up Cameron Johnson
Phoenix selected Cameron Johnson with the 11th overall pick in 2019, and he's been a key part of the team since. The former North Carolina wing enjoyed his best season in 2021-22, averaging 12.5 points per game primarily coming off the bench. He also shot well, hitting 46% from the field and 42.5% from three-point range.
Johnson is entering the last year on his rookie deal, making under $6 million in 2022-23. He is eligible to sign a rookie extension this offseason, and Phoenix should do everything to lock him up.
Johnson is likely seeking a similar contract to that of teammate Mikal Bridges, who signed a four-year, $90.9 million extension in October. In a world without a salary cap, Phoenix would happily offer a similar deal to Johnson, but this isn't that world.
The Suns are already close to $50 million over the salary cap and $17 million over the luxury tax threshold, according to Spotrac. To give Johnson a reasonable contract, the Suns would have to make some major moves.
The problem is that there aren't a lot of contracts they can reasonably offload. Chris Paul could be a trade candidate to create cap space, as he makes $30 million until 2025. However, finding a taker for a 37-year-old coming off a down year would be a challenge.
The contracts of Jae Crowder and Dario Saric expiring after next season could provide some relief. But Phoenix is still well above the cap even with those two coming off the books.
Extending Johnson will be a tough task for the Suns, but they need to do it to ensure the team's future.
Look for options at power forward
Jae Crowder has been a solid piece for Phoenix in the four slot. He averaged 9.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season, more than enough to help Phoenix earn the league's best record. However, the 32-year-old isn't getting any younger, and the Suns could use more scoring from that position.
Acquiring Durant would be the ideal scenario, but that looks more and more unlikely with each move. With Durant likely off the table, the Suns should look to other trade targets to add some more offense.
Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports proposed the Suns go after Sacramento's Harrison Barnes. The 30-year-old averaged 16.4 points per game last season with the Kings. He primarily plays as a small forward, but could fit as a power forward in Phoenix's smaller lineup.
Another option could be Washington's Kyle Kuzma, as suggested by Arizona Sports' Kellan Olson. The 26-year-old bounced back in his first season with the Wizards, averaging 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He also makes just $13 million next season, with a player option for the following season.
Right now, Phoenix figures to be a contender for the Larry O'Brien Trophy again next season. Making just one more splash could put them over the top as clear favorites.
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