The Suns aren't exactly tiptoeing through the opening week of NBA free agency.
But are these compelling, high-risk/high-reward maneuvers encouraging us to confuse activity for achievement? Credible evidence for such a determination is at the mercy of what occurs on the court.
For now, the Suns and their second-year personnel army are boldly marching through potential minefields seemingly without much concern for the consequences. Compared with events of the last two years, that's pretty cool. There may be casualties, but at least the team is generating considerable interest.
In facilitating Steve Nash's job opportunity with the Lakers, having a max-contract offer accepted by restricted free agent Eric Gordon, coming to terms with talented, enigmatic forward Michael Beasley and coughing up 30 million scoots to bring back Goran Dragic, the Suns aren't messin' around.
Even the most strident critics of owner Robert Sarver (and a lottery would be required to whittle down that number to a workable throng) have to admit this summer's machinations are a lot more inspired than the big thinking responsible for adding Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress and Hakim Warrick in 2010.
Although Suns fans aren't released from general manager Lance Blanks' warning of potential "tough times" ahead, we can see a route to a potential uprising and eventual escape from the ashes of mediocrity.
But first: a quick review of the last few days.
STEVE NASH TO THE LAKERS
Beyond the emotion that will maintain a barnacle-like cling to the hearts of Suns fans for quite a while, let's look at how the Suns did with this transaction.
It would have been interesting to see Nash on the floor with Gordon and Beasley, but Gordon's addition remains a long shot, and a parting of company seemed inevitable. So with four draft picks in the bank (the two first-rounders expected to happen long after the lottery portion of the draft), you're probably wondering if the Suns got enough for Nash.
Please understand that in a sign-and-trade situation used to help facilitate the leaving of a player with one foot and most of his torso out the door, the Suns did not have value-for-value leverage. In acquiring draft picks, they didn't burn any prevailing cap flexibility — and they might be able to turn the picks into future assets.
The reported alternative was a sign-and-trade with the Knicks that could have delivered Iman Shumpert and his rehabilitating knee. Shumpert has a reasonable contract and — if the knee does not diminish his future ability to move, which is the kid's greatest asset — the potential to be a great defender.
It should be noted that former Suns GM and current Raptors boss Bryan Colangelo may have done his old team a favor by making a strong offer to Knicks swingman Landry Fields. Fields, the Suns' alleged target in a sign-and-trade with the Nash-seeking Knicks, would have come to Phoenix with a bigger contract and less potential than Shumpert. Agreeing to terms with the Raps took him off of the Suns' menu.
An interesting note was supplied by New York Times reporter Howard Beck, who reminded us that the trade exception used by the Lakers to fit Nash on the payroll was provided by the Mavericks in a trade for Lamar Odom. The Mavs came by that very exception when center Tyson Chandler left ... to play for the Knicks.
SUNS MAKE ERIC GORDON AN OFFER HE CAN'T REFUSE
But Gordon's team, the New Orleans Hornets, probably won't refuse to match it.
Although they do have Austin Rivers (via a draft pick acquired from the Clippers) as a viable asset left over from the Chris Paul trade, go-to talent such as Gordon is hard to come by.
If Gordon's "my heart is in Phoenix" declaration — and any other signs of discontent — provoke a whine-and-trade, the Suns might be required to take a deep breath and surrender an asset or two. Considering that Gordon has had injury issues (the severity of last year's knee problem defied early diagnosis), parting with center Marcin Gortat, for example, would be a stretch.
But the Hornets need a big body to stand near Anthony Davis, and Suns restricted free agent Robin Lopez could be a factor. So could 2011 first-round pick Markieff Morris; the Suns might not be eager to make this move, but I wouldn't bark about it.
With cap flexibility that could come from playing the Childress amnesty card, the Suns don't have to unload comparable salary to fit Gordon's $14.5 million on their payroll.
If the Hornets make good on an initial threat to match any offer for Gordon, the Suns would need to look elsewhere for a starting-caliber two guard. And since GordonGate could take them up to July 14, restricted free agent O.J. Mayo (most recently of the Grizzlies) might be long gone.
One recent report alleges Suns interest in sniper Carlos Delfino, but the former Bucks swingman is more effective working at small forward and is more of an off-the-bench option.
MICHAEL BEASLEY'S COMING TO TOWN
At a reasonable $6 million per season for three years, the risk isn't too overwhelming considering the potential reward.
Beasley might not be his advertised 6-foot-10, but when things are going well, he is a considerable talent capable of providing offense all over the floor. Far from a great defender at either forward position, he does have the power to punish small forwards from the post on offense and the perimeter chops to make life miserable for big forwards.
Unfortunately, Beasley will join the Suns after completing the worst season of his career. At only 23 minutes per game, he gave the T-wolves 11.5 points per game. The scary number is the 191 player-efficiency rating (NBA.com) one season after he checked in at 76.
The off-court questions remain, making the risk seem even greater with Nash — and probably Grant Hill — absent as leaders in the locker room. Jared Dudley has a strong personality, but it might have to rise into the leadership realm.
Beasley was the second overall pick in the 2008 draft, and his production potential could make him a July steal. Or not.
THE DRAGON RETURNS
Bringing back Dragic demonstrates the front office's capacity to admit the mistake in trading him and a first-round pick for Aaron Brooks.
But giving Dragic $30 million (with a potential boost) over the life of a contract that could extend out to four years is interesting. How so? Well, the Suns drafted point guard Kendall Marshall just a week earlier. Beyond the cornering of the left-handed point-guard market, it might not take Marshall long to demonstrate he's the better option to create opportunities for the offense.
While most young point guards require time for their decision-making to catch up to their speed and quickness, the opposite is true of Marshall. That brainy approach to the game should allow him to compete right away.
Sure, having two really solid playmakers is great, and Marshall is big enough to play alongside Dragic. But if the Suns can add a legit starting two guard and Marshall establishes himself as an operator on offense, Goran becomes an expensive (and hard to move) sub.
It might have been safer to spend less for Raymond Felton as a placeholder for the emerging Marshall. But safe isn't in this summer's game plan.
WHAT ABOUT GRANT?
With Nash in LA and looking to add a low-rent small forward to his playmate list, it wouldn't shock anyone if Hill joined him on the Lakers.
An injury-riddled season seems to have limited the market for the 39-year-old defensive ace, but he'd probably be perfect for the playoff push in L.A. And with Nash no longer in Phoenix, a return to the Suns seems less likely.
Geographical continuity for his family might inspire Grant to stay in the Valley, or he might opt for retirement, though the blood-spinning procedure Hill reportedly went through suggests he is planning to play somewhere.
WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS?
There's been little noise regarding any free-agent interest in wingers Shannon Brown and Michael Redd. Brown, who provided scoring punch in the starting lineup when Hill was out, is young and looking for a long-term deal. Redd is a veteran whose reclamation was abetted by the Suns' training staff.
If Gordon remains in New Orleans and the Suns are unable to execute a suitable Plan B for another shooting guard, the aforementioned lack of noise could keep them in play here.
Sebastian Telfair's stellar second half last season could give him some value elsewhere now that Dragic is back and Marshall needs to play. The Suns carried three point guards last season, so Telfair could stay, but going back to the third option could make Telfair a liability in a locker room now short on leadership.
The Suns also have the capacity to match any offer for restricted free agent Aaron Brooks. While July has been wacky so far, that would make it truly cuckoo.
Babby has said the team intends to match an anticipated offer sheet brought back by Lopez. If some team is desperate enough to make an unreasonable monetary pitch (which happens from time to time with free-agent big men), that could change.
WHAT ABOUT 2013?
Where does this flurry of activity leave the Suns in terms of flexibility for next summer?
That depends on what happens with Gordon.
"Getting him in there would be huge," a Western Conference player executive said, "but I expect New Orleans to match. Is he worth $14.5 million? No, but for where (the Suns) are right now, the free-agent market dictates that you have to overpay sometimes to get guys. And he's a really good player."
If Gordon ends up in Phoenix, regaining flexibility might require some crafty maneuvering. In addition to Dragic, Beasley, Marshall and possibly Lopez, the Suns have six other players under contract for the 2013-14 season. Without Gordon, any other shooting-guard acquisition would be a lot more affordable and/or temporary.
The Childress amnesty card has yet to be put on the table, either; if the Thunder and guard James Harden haven't reached an accord by then, fitting the former Arizona State star under the cap might be doable.
Without Gordon, the Suns could find themselves holding a draft pick relatively early in the 2013 lottery. With that in mind, spend part of next season keeping an eye on UCLA freshman swingman Shabazz Muhammad.
