PHOENIX SUNS

Grantland’s Zach Lowe: Free agency leads to ‘murkier future’ for Phoenix Suns

Jul 7, 2015, 11:29 AM | Updated: 11:30 am

...

Grantland.com’s Zach Lowe, one of the top analytical voices among NBA writers, decided to break down a wild first week of NBA free agency.

So what about the Phoenix Suns?

Lowe said the Suns, who added Tyson Chandler on a four-year, $52 million deal but lost out on LaMarcus Aldridge to the San Antonio Spurs, have a “murkier future” after the first week of free agency in his list of NBA free-agency winners and losers.

I’m not sure any team has experienced a crazier calendar year than Phoenix. They were a feel-good story with a point guard hydra, and in a flash, they transformed into a group of mouthy malcontents who traded two of their three point guards — plus that juicy top-three protected Lakers pick. And then, out of nowhere, they went all in for Aldridge. They signed Tyson Chandler mostly to lead their Aldridge recruiting mission, broke up the Morris twins with a cap dump on Detroit, and would have dealt Markieff Morris had Aldridge signed on.

That is a lot of trauma, spurred on in part by Robert Sarver, the team’s owner. Sarver has grown impatient with Phoenix’s playoff drought, and has urged the basketball staff to take huge swings in free agency, per several league sources.

The future feels murkier than it did before the trade deadline blow-up. Chandler is here, at age 32, to play four years in front of Alex Len — a young center the team considers a cornerstone. Brandon Knight has to live up to the Lakers pick, and a new $70 million deal. The Suns didn’t sacrifice much to free space for Aldridge, but they are moving in several directions at once.

There is a lot to unpack here; stay tuned for more.

Phoenix’s moves cannot become official until the league’s moratorium is complete July 9.

The Suns are reportedly looking into adding former Sun Amar’e Stoudemire or to trade for New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson.

Phoenix Suns

Isaiah Thomas...

Dan Bickley

Isaiah Thomas signing is a wild swing for Suns in desperate times

Isaiah Thomas is a born fighter. He’s beaten the odds. The chip on his shoulder is permanent. It’s easy to rally around a player like him.

5 hours ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Bickley Blast: Are the Phoenix Suns superstars done with Frank Vogel?

On Monday's Bickley Blast, Dan Bickley asks the question if the Suns' superstars have had bad body language recently and if it's because they want Frank Vogel gone.

10 hours ago

Dalton Knecht, Tennessee...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should be watching during March Madness

The Phoenix Suns are slated to have a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and they could select one of the stars of the NCAA Tournament.

23 hours ago

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Grayson Allen #8 of the Phoenix ...

Kellan Olson

Suns’ shocking lack of urgency continues in loss to Bucks without Giannis

The Phoenix Suns are playing like they have been afforded the luxury of time. But they are just about to run out of it.

1 day ago

Josh Okogie #2 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the second half of the NBA game at Footp...

David Veenstra

Suns’ Josh Okogie out for matchup vs. Bucks, Antetokounmpo also out

Phoenix Suns' Josh Okogie is out for Sunday's game against the Bucks. Okogie has missed the past seven games with a lower abdominal strain.

1 day ago

Isaiah Thomas...

Damon Allred

Isaiah Thomas to return to Suns on 10-day contract, per report

Nearly two years since his last NBA minutes, point guard Isaiah Thomas is planning to sign a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns.

2 days ago

Grantland’s Zach Lowe: Free agency leads to ‘murkier future’ for Phoenix Suns