National Basketball Association

Phoenix Suns: 5 potential free agency targets in 2017

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:37 p.m. ET

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Phoenix Suns

Feb 8, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) goes to the basket against Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Phoenix Suns 110-91. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into 2017 NBA free agency, the Phoenix Suns should set their sights lower and avoid the big-name acquisitions. Here are five potential targets for the offseason.

Over the last few months, the Phoenix Suns have popped up in just about every trade rumor you could imagine.

From Paul Millsap to Blake Griffin to trades for Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler or Kevin Love, it's not surprising a team with financial flexibility, intriguing young players and plenty of future draft picks has repeatedly come up in trade speculation.

Approaching 2017 NBA free agency, the Suns could very easily create the cap space to chase a prominent free agent and land the franchise's first established superstar talent since Steve Nash.

However, for a team that's finally accepted the harsh realities of building through the middle, even a franchise-record seven-year playoff drought shouldn't be enough to convince general manager Ryan McDonough to abandon what's shaking up to be an intriguing youth movement.

The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers juggernauts aren't going anywhere anytime soon, so as much as landing a Blake Griffin or a Paul Millsap would be a victory for the franchise, all it'd ultimately be doing is take away minutes from the youngsters as the Suns sputter to yet another finish in the middle of the Western Conference.

The alternative, more preferable approach? Bide their time and wait out the currently unassailable contenders, keep feeding the young cornerstones ample minutes to develop together. For free agency, that means only targeting free agents on cheaper contracts, or more expensive, short-term deals that won't clog the cap sheet when it's finally time to extend the young players and seek out star talent in free agency.

The Suns have plenty of needs approaching the offseason, including three-point shooting, veteran leadership, defense, insurance at the center position and a backup shooting guard behind Devin Booker to spare second round pick Davon Reed from a brutal transition as a rookie.

Bearing all that in mind, here's a look at five potential free agency targets that are realistic, completely unsexy and would actually help the Phoenix Suns with their rebuild.

Phoenix Suns

Feb 10, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) reacts to a foul called against him in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mentions

Andre Iguodala — He'd be a great veteran leader and secondary playmaker for a young Suns team with impressionable wings like Devin Booker and Josh Jackson, but it'd cost a pretty penny to pry him from the defending champs…and the other suitors trying to weaken the Golden State Warriors.

Tim Hardaway Jr. — THJ would be a fine option to back up Booker at the 2-spot, but the kind of deal it'd take to pry this restricted free agent away from the Atlanta Hawks wouldn't be worth it, especially after a career year that would leave him wanting more minutes on a rebuilding team.

J.J. Redick — Redick would definitely address Phoenix's need for perimeter shooting, veteran leadership and depth at the shooting guard position, but he'll be getting a four-year max from another team that can offer him a better chance at winning games.

Andre Roberson — One of the league's premier defenders, Roberson would provide a great example for Josh Jackson on the wing. However, his lack of shooting and the kind of deal it'd take to lure him away as a restricted free agent probably exceeds his actual value.

Thabo Sefolosha — Similar to Roberson, Sefolosha's offensive game hurts his overall value to the Suns, but on a cheap deal, he'd be a nice veteran addition that would set an example on the defensive end for Booker, Jackson and T.J. Warren.

Jonathon Simmons — Yet another restricted free agent, Jonathon Simmons could still be in the San Antonio Spurs' plans depending on the offers that roll in.

Willie Reed — Reed played his way out of the Miami Heat's price range this year and would be a great defensive addition to a frontcourt in need of bolstering, but there's a better option in the category of defensive-minded backups due for a pay raise.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — KCP would be an ideal backup to Booker for his youth, superb defense and three-point shooting, but the Detroit Pistons will reportedly match any offer made on their restricted free agent.

Phoenix Suns

Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) high fives fans following the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

5. Nerlens Noel

Tyson Chandler will turn 35 years old before the start of the 2016-17 season. Alex Len and Alan Williams are both restricted free agents this summer. Marquese Chriss may never be defensively sound enough to play the 5, unless it's in brief stints with small-ball lineups. Dragan Bender has the height and defensive skill-set to play center, but that future lies years down the road.

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At this point in time, the Suns don't have a sure thing, an anchor at the center position. Nerlens Noel, who was selected one pick after Len in the 2013 NBA Draft, would be well worth the potential investment.

To be fair, the 23-year-old Noel has struggled through injury problems in his first few seasons in the league. He missed the entire 2013-14 campaign as he recovered from knee surgery, and though he played 75 games and 67 games the next two seasons, he only suited up for 51 last year.

Noel was also ousted from the Philadelphia 76ers' center logjam despite averaging a promising 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.5 blocks per game his second season. In 22 appearances with the Dallas Mavericks last year, he averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

More than likely, the Mavs will match offers for their restricted free agent. But if a team looking for a long-term answer at center, armed with cap space and nothing to lose — you know, kind of like the Suns — made an offer in the four-year, $108 million max range, isn't it possible they'd think about letting him walk?

It's a risky proposition, which is why Noel only makes No. 5 on this list. But even a matched offer sheet would force a fellow Western Conference team to pay up for its young talent, and if Dallas somehow balked at ponying up the dough, the Suns could land a legitimate rim protector to bolster their defense for the long haul.

Phoenix Suns

Apr 11, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Langston Galloway (9) during the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

4. Langston Galloway

Remember that bit about how the Suns' 2017 free agency options wouldn't be sexy? Meet Langston Galloway, a player whose value has seemingly dropped off a cliff after what felt like a breakout 2014-15 season in his first year in the league.

Galloway averaged 11.8 points, 4.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 32.4 minutes per game for the Knicks that season, but ever since, his production has tapered off. He signed with the New Orleans Pelicans last summer before being traded to the Sacramento Kings in the DeMarcus Cousins deal.

Unfortunately, he was buried beneath a heavy rotation of 2-guards in Sac-Town, and now he'll be an unrestricted free agent after opting out of his contract. For a team that could use some depth behind Devin Booker, Galloway's perimeter defense and three-point shooting (39 percent last year) would make him a welcome addition.

Even better, he'd be a cheap one. He'll hardly be pined after by the league's contenders, who are currently trying to amass super-teams. At only 25 years old, this under-the-radar option wouldn't take minutes away from the young talent and could address a few areas that need improvement — even if he wouldn't be the flashiest of signings.

Phoenix Suns

Feb 3, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Ben McLemore (23) drives in against Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

3. Ben McLemore

Hey look, another banished Kings 2-guard! Unlike Galloway, McLemore's fate was decided for him when Sacramento decided not to pick up his fifth-year team option. Without the qualifying offer that would've made him a restricted free agent, the 24-year-old wing is now unrestricted.

To be certain, McLemore has largely disappointed in his early NBA career, averaging just 9.4 points per game on .417/.352/.780 shooting splits for his career. That's not nearly enough production for a former No. 7 overall pick.

However, we've seen plenty of promising prospects fail to pan out while growing up in Sacramento, and McLemore could just be the poster child for the "right player, wrong place" syndrome that seems to have plagued every Kings draft pick except Boogie over the last decade.

Depending on the price tag and the level of interest around the league, the Suns could do worse in their search for depth at the 2-spot. McLemore is still young, could be signed to a cheaper deal, wouldn't infringe on Booker's status as the starter and could even wind up providing three-point range in a more established youth movement.

Phoenix Suns

Mar 27, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. The Kings defeated the Grizzlies 91-90. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

2. Tony Allen

With Zach Randolph, Tony Allen and Vince Carter all being unrestricted free agents this summer, plus JaMychal Green's restricted free agency to worry about, it's entirely possible the Memphis Grizzlies let their lockdown wing defender walk this summer.

If that's the case, the Suns would be wise to snatch up the Grindfather with a sizable offer on a short-term deal.

Though his complete lack of a perimeter — or even a midrange — shot would fail to address that need in Phoenix, his defensive intensity and tough, gritty veteran mindset would be infectious influences on a young and already feisty core.

Just picture Jackson, Booker and even Warren learning from Mr. First Team All-Defense on that end of the floor. It's terrifying to think of what Jackson could become if he learned from one of the league's most tenacious and intense defenders, who has earned six All-Defensive team selections in his career.

At age 35, Allen is not nearly good enough to steal minutes from the Suns' younger wings, but he could mentor them while enjoying a sizable paycheck that wouldn't break the bank for McDonough's books. He'd be slotted in behind Booker at the 2-spot, making small-ball lineups with him and Jackson locking down the wings a terrifying prospect.

Again, Allen is not the sexiest of free agency options, and he could very easily just take a discount to remain in Memphis. But at this juncture in Phoenix's rebuild, there are few veteran influences who would be better for the team's young wing players than an established defender and fiery competitor like the Grindfather.

Phoenix Suns

Oct 3, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Dewayne Dedmon (3) wins the opening tip against Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

1. Dewayne Dedmon

Because Allen could very well re-sign with the Grizzlies, backup big Dewayne Dedmon takes the top spot on the list. After declining his $3 million player option to become an unrestricted free agent, the Spurs' solid backup center stands to make a lot of extra money on the open market.

However, since he's still widely viewed as a backup and not a starting-caliber big man, he'd still fit nicely into the Suns price range among teams willing to bid a little extra without getting too crazy for his services.

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Last season in San Antonio, Dedmon had the best year of his career, averaging 5.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in just 17.5 minutes per game. In 37 starts, his numbers slightly increased to 5.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game on 64 percent shooting.

He's pretty limited on the offensive end, but the Suns would sign him for his rim protection and defensive skill-set anyway. Though he's already 27 years old, this seven-footer would be a decent stopgap to bolster the frontcourt depth, since Chandler is possibly on the trade block and Len and Williams are both restricted free agents this summer.

Len hasn't impressed during his first four years in the league, and though Williams is hometown hero who came on strong at the end of last season, he might cost more than the Suns are willing to pay for an entertaining backup.

Dedmon is not the most high profile of targets, and the Suns would still be left needing a long-term solution at the 5. However, he'd provide length, depth, mobility and interior defense to a frontcourt that could use both. A potential contract wouldn't break the bank or leave Phoenix with unwanted salary years down the road either.

To that end, Dewayne Dedmon is the exact kind of free agent the Phoenix Suns should be targeting in 2017 to supplement the youth movement.

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