Phoenix Suns - NBA Teams that have made huge strides in the off season – Opinion (Part 2)
5. Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns had been struggling to remain consistent for the last few years and after the departure of Steve Nash in a ‘requested’ sign and trade deal with long time rivals, Los Angeles Lakers, it seemed that a long rebuilding
process beckoned the desert city franchise.
The club however made some huge moves and is now being considered as one of the dark horses for next season. It all started with the hiring of Michael Beasley, the fourth year forward who despite being highly talented, has failed
to make his mark in the NBA so far.
Beasley entered the league as the number two draft pick, but a series of disciplinary and attitude problems took the better of him. He was traded by the Miami Heat in his second year and Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t go for him,
once his contract finished last season.
Suns were quick to pounce on the opportunity, and offered Beasley a 3 year - $ 18 million deal, which he accepted. He has all the skills to be an All-Star level player and the Suns seem intent on getting the most out of him. If
this gamble pays off, they can be in for a pleasant surprise.
While Beasley’s influence can be questioned at this point, what cannot be is the impact which Goran Dragic and Luis Scola are going to make.
Dragic has long been a Steve Nash protégé before being traded to the Houston Rockets last season. The Lithuanian swingman got his break late in the season when Kyle Lowry got injured, and when he did, Dragic ensured to cash in
big time. Dragic became the man behind Houston’s push into the playoffs, and so nearly took them there, winning the player of the week laurel early in April along the way.
The guard was surprisingly let go by the Houston Rockets, and the Suns wasted no time in bringing their former player back. The Rockets, who were obsessed by their urge to somehow lure in Dwight Howard, also amnestied their power
forward Luis Scola and once again, Suns became the beneficiaries.
Scola is one of the top big men in the league and his addition has greatly strengthened the Suns front court. On top of that, Goran and Scola know each other’s game and their chemistry means that the Suns won’t face much difficulty
in the compatibility issues.
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