What is the Suns' next step?

By Max Haggerty

Now that Phoenix has pulled a two for one trade landing Shaq for Marion and Banks, they have an open roster spot. They have two weeks from the time of the trade to fill that spot. According to local reports in Phoenix, Kerr is said to be looking for a solid versatile defender, for which they lost when Marion was traded to Miami. The names being thrown around so far are: 6-foot-7 G/F Mickael Gelabale, 6-8 F Linton Johnson, 6-7 G/F Ronald Dupree, 6-7 G Bobby Jones, 6-5 G Richie Frahm and also 6-6 G Gordan Giricek if he gets bought out by Philadelphia. But Kerr also mentioned preferring someone with a little bit of experience which will help the player and the team ease into a championship mentality that Phoenix has on it’s mind this post-season. But of the early names mentioned none of them have the skill or the experience at the NBA level for any consistent amount of time, nor were any key to the success of their team. This is why I don’t like any of these options. I don’t like a D-League signee or a cheap contract for Phoenix right now. I’m still puzzled that Phoenix didn’t grab Chris Quinn in the deal along with Shaq for Marion and Banks. Phoenix has yet to find a true point guard backup to Nash since he came back to Phoenix. Many have argued this to aid to his wear and tear come play-off time by the minutes he plays and by the amount of pressure on his shoulders. Phoenix also has point forwards Hill and Diaw and Barbosa has been a ball handler in the past although he’s been very ineffective at it. If they can grab a certain PG through free agency and/or trade, they might as well take the opportunity to see what he can do behind Nash.

Here’s my version of Barkley’s Fav5 options for PHX’s 13th man:

ONE: Get Chris Duhon from the Bulls and picks for the Suns 8 million dollar trade exception they received from Seattle in the Kurt Thomas deal. The Bulls are trying to change the foundation of their team and an $8 million trade exception would help a team looking for flexibility and options for trading just in time to rebuild a team that is right on the play-off cusp in the Eastern Conference. His value has probably gone up from his impressive play of late, but Duhon is clearly not the future in Chicago with Heinrich there. Duhon has often been praised by Coach Scott Skiles during his tenure with Chicago, saying Duhon works hard in practice and gives everything his all. Phoenix needs to know what life is like having a true backup point behind Nash, and with Duhon they would have an excellent passer, decent 3-point shooter and high character guy, which Phoenix has always found key to being a Suns player.

TWO: Sign F Ruben Patterson. I’ve always thought Ruben Patterson would be a great player for Phoenix, especially with Steve Nash. There are obviously some character issues with Patterson, but he’s a great defender and is extremely active. He’s always been kind of a poor man’s Ron Artest in my eyes, but that’s not a diss because Artest is a great player. Ruben can also defend multiple positions like Marion and plays tough, something Phoenix is known for lacking.

THREE: Get G Travis Diener and F Shawne Willams from Indiana and picks for $8 mil trade exception. This will also add to some flexibility in trading for the Pacers in an effort to improve their chances of landing Kidd or Carter from New Jersey to improve their team. Indiana is another team in the East that is right on the cusp of the playoffs. I doubt that Indiana would like to get rid of two young talents who both have cheap contracts unless it’s a setup for a player in the likes of proven All-Star talents such as Kidd or Carter.

FOUR: Get G JJ Redick and picks for Suns $8 mil trade exception. Orlando is supposedly looking for another post player to improve their team for a playoff run. Redick hasn’t received consistent minutes since being drafted by the Magic and the Suns have been rumored to be interested in the former Duke sharpshooter as soon as he entered the NBA. He doesn’t exactly match the defensive qualifications that Kerr desires, but Phoenix is always looking for sharp shooters.

FIVE: Phoenix is rumored to be in the hunt for Gordan Giricek if he is bought out by Philadelphia. How about another player in Philadelphia who Phoenix attempted to draft back in 2006, F Rodney Carney. His contract isn’t very big so I’m not sure how they’d attempt to match it with their most viable trade asset the $8 mil trade exception. Phoenix does have Atlanta’s first round pick next year, but they will not part with that for Carney.

FORESIGHT: Signing Patterson would be the least taxing move of the five considerations I mentioned. With Phoenix’s ongoing proposition to pay the least amount possible while putting a championship team together I like that move to happen the most of the options I’ve suggested. Don’t discount some creativity by Phoenix to add another shocker though. They might ride this unexpected train as far as they can and could end up landing a proven stud along the way like a Mike Miller. A move along these lines would no doubt be marked by Phoenix giving up the Atlanta pick in this years draft and Phoenix going much deeper over the Salary Cap Tax threshold than previously desiring. I don’t think Phoenix needs a Mike Miller on their team, nor do I see the minutes for a player like that, but I also believe he makes any team better and as highly improbable as this trade sounds, Memphis has been known for giving handouts. I can’t imagine Greg Popovich’s reaction if Memphis destroyed their team to better San Antonio’s two nemesis: Phoenix and L.A.

With Atlanta more and more likely to make the playoffs this year, Phoenix might decide to get rid of that pick, especially if it lands them the talent they’re looking for. If the Suns keep that pick then there’s incentive for Phoenix to help out: Chicago, Indiana, Philadelphia and even New Jersey regarding a trade, because all four teams are just behind Atlanta for the playoffs. Phoenix would love to knock the Hawks out of the playoffs and get Atlanta’s pick (for which they own) in this years draft into the lottery. This was more incentive for the Suns to throw Marion at Miami, to help a Heat team better match up against a division rival the Hawks, for which Phoenix is definitely routing against. Phoenix has an opportunity to be creative and strategic now, and I like their chances to pull a rabbit out of the hat, much like L.A. did by finding Pau Gasol.