Phoenix Suns score well after ‘solid’ offseason

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns had limited investment this offseason in a team that is a league-leading spender. Still, the organization did its best to offset the bad buys (of their own) with the bad buys they made, preparing for another pivotal year in the Valley.

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton acknowledged this in Phoenix’s offseason report, giving them a solid 7 for the way the Suns have performed over the past few months:

“With limited flexibility due to secondary constraints, the Suns did a good job of skirting the edges this offseason. Owner Mat Ishbia’s willingness to spend money allowed Phoenix to extend starter Grayson Allen and re-sign reserves Royce O’Neale and Josh Okogie, the latter in a deal favorable to trade,” Pelton wrote.

“The Suns filled a need at reserve point guard with the addition of reliable, experienced Monte Morris and backup center Mason Plumlee with the bare minimum of players.

“I also liked that Phoenix added additional second-round picks by dropping from No. 22 to No. 28 before taking Virginia forward Ryan Dunn.”

The report comes just days before the Suns signed Tyus Jones to a one-year deal in free agency to bolster the point guard position. Whether Jones starts in Phoenix remains to be seen, though the Suns certainly have options — better ones — to function as a more traditional point guard with Morris and Jones in the mix.

Phoenix also hopes that more continuity, with more time on the court with Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, can lead to better times in 2024-25.

The Suns weren’t able to do much this summer, but given the resources they had to work with, it’s hard not to believe new coach Mike Budenholzer can put together a solid season in Phoenix.