The Phoenix Suns‘ apparent need for a point guard may lead to a Kevin Durant–Russell Westbrook reunion, according to Bleacher Report’s salary cap analyst Eric Pincus.
“Though there’s no intel to suggest it yet, the obvious choice is a reunion with Kevin Durant via Phoenix,” Pincus said on May 31, alluding to Westbrook if he opts out of his $4 million player option with the Los Angeles Clippers. “The Suns’ biggest weakness is at the point, and Westbrook averaged 4.5 assists in 68 games for the Clippers. That’s almost what Bradley Beal and Durant contributed the Suns (5.0 per game) in almost 33 minutes each (tied for second on the team behind Devin Booker‘s 6.9).
Given the Suns’ restricted resources as one of the NBA’s highest-spending organisations, Westbrook may find the $3.3 million Phoenix offers worth more to him than the $4 million option in Los Angeles.”
Pincus noted that there’s some “industry buzz” that the nine-time NBA All-Star point guard may depart the Clippers for a more meaningful role with another team. The Suns, with their lack of a starting point guard, could be a suitable landing site for him.
Durant and Westbrook were the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 1-2 punch when they reached the NBA Finals in 2012.
New Suns Coach Addresses Point Guard Concerns
Newly hired Suns coach Mike Budenholzer addressed the team’s point guard predicament during his first press conference.
“The conversations have been great and there’s no doubt we have to look at the whole roster and talk about point guard,” Budenholzer told reporters on May 17. “I’m sure it’s a hot button here, whether it’s with you guys, the media, the players, front office. We need to think about it. We need to be able to play without one. We probably need to have one.
“We need to be versatile. We need to play multiple ways: bigger, smaller. I think the point guard position has a place.”
When Budenholzer won a championship with the Bucks in 2021, curiously, against the Suns, he had Jrue Holiday, one of the league’s better point guards whose main attribute is defense.
Westbrook, 35, is about the same height as Holiday and is more athletic. But unlike Holiday, Westbrook is not recognised for his defense.
Suns GM Wants a Point Guard Who Can Fit With Their Big 3
Suns general manager James Jones acknowledged the team’s point guard weakness but he is sceptical of just signing anyone is available.
"Who is available given the way we're built? Whose game seamlessly fits with this group? When you put that player on the floor and you take the ball out of someone's hands, whose hands are you taking it out of and who are you putting in that position? James Jones on PG need #Suns https://t.co/cpPONh3k1M pic.twitter.com/OPiDbjcGp4
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) May 1, 2024
“I think the team could benefit from having a point guard,” Jones told reporters during his farewell interview on May 1. “I believe the team could benefit from having backup forwards, backup centers. I still always go back to your greatest players on the floor. That’s a narrative we’ll hear a lot, point guard, point guard. Sure, that’s terrific.
Who do you want? Who is available given the way we’re built? Who can fit with this group? Whose game fluidly In other words, Jones is searching for a point guard who will not take away shots from their “Big Three” and help them control the game.
Chris Paul, their former point guard, whom they traded to acquire Beal, fits that definition.
The Golden State Warriors have until June 28 to either completely guarantee Paul’s $30 million salary or waive him.
Other point guard options for the Suns are Kyle Lowry, Monte Morris, Markelle Fultz, Tyus Jones and Patrick Beverley. meshes with this group and when you put that person on the floor and you take the ball out of someone’s hands, whose hands are you taking it out of and who are putting in that position?”
