Phoenix Suns General Manager Lance Blanks looking forward to NBA Draft and a busy off season – NBA News
The Phoenix Suns have one of the most important off-seasons right around the corner, in which big decisions will need to be made.
The Suns have enjoyed much success over the past 7-8 seasons, and have constantly been one of the top teams of the Western Conference. However, their inability to win an NBA Championship led to the eventual parting
of ways with Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion.
With their star roster depleted, the Suns were unable to make it to the playoffs this season. Suns veteran All Star point guard Steve Nash has also said that he will be looking to join a new team in the offseason,
which can help him accomplish his aim of winning an NBA championship. Nash will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and his resigning is one of the biggest challenges the Suns have on their hands in the offseason.
But before the off season trades begin, the Suns have the NBA Draft to look towards. And this year, the Suns are looking to tackle the Draft aggressively in order to find a good young talent that can add value
to the team. The Suns currently hold the 13th pick of the first round. Suns General Manager Lance Blanks hosted an informal lunch for media personnel on Monday, where he explained in detail his team’s vision going forward, starting
with the Draft.
Blanks openly acknowledged that the Suns needed to get better on defense, and thought the wing positions needed the most attention. He said that is what he was looking for among the draft prospects.
“You look at our roster, we feel that this year, our perimeter is an area that we’d like to add a little youth. Whether it be the one (point guard), two (shooting guard) or the three (small forward). We want
to inject some youth in that, and when you look at our roster and compare it to the draft, we feel like we’ll be able to do that in a big and impactful way” said Blanks.
Blanks also said that he was not going into the Draft with a single minded approach, but rather was open to all possibilities. Asked if he preferred getting the right person for the right position, or he would
pick a guy if he is that good, Blanks agreed with the latter.
“If you’re at a point in the draft, and it’s not necessarily the player or the position you’re looking for, but the player is so good that it doesn’t matter, then you’d have to go that way,” said Blanks.
Blanks intends to travel to Chicago to attend the pre-draft camp where he will get the opportunity to talk to prospects and watch them train. He will then invite selected players to Phoenix to participate in
private workouts so his coaching staff can better assess the players.
The off season looks like a long one for Blanks and the team management. However, their efforts will determine the Suns success in the seasons to come as this is the season where good signings and trades can
guarantee a strong Suns team for next season. And if the decisions go wrong, it can send them a few years back in their restructuring effort.
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