THE Phoenix Sunsafter releasing Nassir Little earlier this week, have opened up a roster spot. An open spot, you say? That’s right. Little’s three-year, $22 million contract — which has proven too hard to sell to anyone — is now terminated. It’s a smart financial move for the Suns, both short- and long-term.
And yes, that opens up a spot on the list.
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It remains to be seen how the Suns will handle this roster vacancy. This team has no shortage of players. 17, to be exact. One of the benefits of having three open spots on two-way contracts is that if you fill them like James Jones did, you have options.
One option is to leave the roster spot vacant. This approach provides long-term flexibility while allowing James Jones to be more strategic in his decisions. It also allows the Suns to get two players back in a trade if necessary. Want to trade Okogie? Is the only way to do that by taking two veteran minimum contracts in exchange? Jones can do that with a roster spot vacant.
The other option — brace yourself for this revolutionary idea — is to fill the vacancy. If the right opportunity presents itself, Phoenix has the luxury of signing someone without having to part ways with anyone. That time could be now, or it could be whenever the basketball gods decide to throw them a bone.
But who’s left on the market? Who should the Suns pursue?
After pulling off a fourth-quarter coup and bringing Tyus Jones to Phoenix, I think it’s safe to say we’re good at guard. More than half of their roster – 10 by my count – is guards. The team has four forwards (Durant, O’Neale, Dunn and Bol) and three centers (Nurkic, Plumlee and Ighodaro).
That’s what they should be looking at. Forwards and centers. So that’s what I’m looking at.
Cedi Osman
I swear every offseason I push for the Suns to get Osman, 29, and every year they don’t. I literally talked about this last month.
I will say now what I said then:
At 6’0”, Osman would be an asset to the Suns as a backup, which could be seen as a weakness after the organization focused on defensive potential in the draft. His versatility and ability to space the floor make him an attractive option for many teams, and his experience in different systems highlights his adaptability on the court.
The goal is to add depth with someone who can step in without tripping over his shoelaces if injured. Cedi Osman would be a great fit and fill that void.
And hey! He talked to Nurk before a game once.
Jae Crowder
Yeah, I said it.
I’m not usually one for attending reunions. I skipped my 10th and 20th year high school reunions without a second thought. But when it comes to Jae, I’m willing to make an exception.
Did his career end the moment he chose to sit on the bench rather than play for the Suns? Yes. In two years with Milwaukee, Jae played 68 games and scored 6.4 points. And now the guy you wanted to see start for Phoenix in an effort to show why he should get an extra payday is an unrestricted free agent with no team.
We know relations have deteriorated in Phoenix. But that was two coaches and one owner ago!
Crowder has a reliable three-point shot, defensive tenacity and the seasoned presence of a veteran with character. I’m sure the Phoenix faithful would give him a standing ovation every time he showed up to a game. His brashness and cockiness are exactly what the Suns need.
TJ Warren
Speaking of reunions… just kidding.
Moses Brown
When weighing the pros and cons of the Suns’ current roster, one glaring weakness stands out: basket protection. Jusuf Nurkic and Mason Plumlee are excellent rebounders, but when it comes to defending against forwards and scorers driving to the basket, their strategy seems to be more about hoping to miss a shot and grabbing the rebound.
Enter Moses Brown.
Brown, who will be 25 when the 2024-25 season begins, is a 7-foot-4 big man with a 7-foot-4 wingspan. As Adrian Bernecich has said: from Blazer’s Edge said“He has a knack for protecting the basket, has good defensive instincts and has been able to add some muscle to his lanky frame. On offense, he doesn’t really shoot from three feet out, but with good footwork and a willingness to hit low, he can be an asset under the basket.”
Moses has wandered the NBA like a prophet in Egypt, playing for six teams in his five years in the league. He spent last summer in Summer League playing for the Lakers.
Brown could be a valuable addition to Phoenix as a third or even fourth center. He brings considerable size and strength to the floor, and while he doesn’t stretch the floor with his shots, he’s a reliable scorer in the paint and a capable shot deterrent on defense. On a roster that could benefit from a bigger presence inside, Brown’s skill set provides depth where it’s needed most.
Harry Giles
The 20th choice in 2017 NBA Project never quite lived up to his potential. Once ranked as ESPN’s top prospect in 2016, he opted to join Duke, where he played alongside Grayson Allen. Despite battling injuries during his time in Durham, he still entered the draft, where he was selected by the Sacramento Kings.
Since then, the situation has been turbulent.
The 2.08 m power forward/center showed flashes of his potential in stops with the Kings, Trail Blazers, Nets and Lakers. But injuries followed him everywhere. He missed the entire 2022-23 season.
When it comes to filling that final roster spot, you have the freedom to take a calculated risk. And Giles could be that. He has the potential to break through, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan that gives him plenty of defensive range, combined with agility that belies his size. Offensively, he brings a solid post game that could become a valuable asset in the right system.
Although his career has been hampered by injuries, Giles’ potential to become a key contributor makes him a risk worth considering.
Robert Covington
Wasn’t this guy one of the hottest names a season or two ago? It was like every time you talked to the Blazers, Sixersor Clippers fans, they would tell you how deep they were and reference RoCo to explain why.
At 33, Covington is without a team, but his experience and skill set could make him a valuable asset to the Suns. Bringing him to Phoenix could bolster their wing depth with a player who has proven defensive prowess and is versatile enough to defend multiple positions.
I wouldn’t mind seeing RoCo in purple and orange as he would be a good veteran to have alongside rookie Ryan Dunn. Put them next to each other. Maybe Dunn can carry his bags. Covington could show the young stud how to sharpen his defensive skills. And shoot three-pointers.
Phoenix could choose to bide its time and see what opportunities present themselves as the season progresses. It’s possible that a player could be released after the trade deadline and could provide significant value. While the players mentioned above have their merits, each has a limited ceiling and may not have a substantial impact, just as Nassir Little likely wouldn’t.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on these suggestions in the comments below. Are there any other free agents or potential targets you think the Suns should consider?
