Asset-strapped and facing payroll restrictions, Phoenix pivots from blockbuster trades to high-value role players. Critics question if this new strategic depth provides enough firepower for a title.
There is one question that seems to permeate the Phoenix Suns franchise on a yearly basis.
The question is fairly straightforward - is the organization doing enough to surround the iconic Devin Booker with talent that is capable of winning an NBA title?
The narrative following the pairing over the last decade has rarely been quieted down, and this is certainly the case heading into the upcoming season. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report is one of these detractors, as he still believes that the Suns aren't doing enough to support Booker.
"The Suns stripped themselves of a Booker co-star when they traded Kevin Durant last offseason. At this rate, it doesn't feel like they're even searching for one. When they're adding talent, it's of the role-playing variety: Miles Bridges as a scoring forward, Luke Kennard as a net-shredder, Koa Peat as a forceful dot-connector."
This conversation is a very nuanced and multi-faceted one that requires great care when approaching. The Suns are clearly gearing towards competing for championships in the future, but current guardrails are preventing them from shooting for anything other than earning a spot in the playoffs.
The trades to bring Durant and former scoring champ Bradley Beal to Phoenix were signs that governor Mat Ishbia is all-in on winning. The unfortunate fallout from striking out on said moves is that the organization is very asset strapped at the moment, as well as being restricted by sitting in the first apron.
There's only so much that the Phoenix front office is able to do in the pursuit of surrounding Booker with championship-level talent. At this moment, GM Brian Gregory is doing an admirable job of identifying high-upside draft prospects that are attainable, value free-agents that will contribute to a quality team, and making trades that are advantageous to the franchise on average.
Players such as Villanova product Collin Gillespie are clear-as-day impact players alongside Booker. Gillespie is a positive asset on both ends of the floor, is in possession of an economical contract, and has room to grow even more in future seasons. This is exactly what Gregory needs to excel in during the build-up towards becoming contenders once again.
While the Suns aren't making any seismic moves at the moment - they simply don't have to be. The front office has learned the lessons of the past and are fully set on doing things the right way moving forward - not in cutting corners.
