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Here are four remaining free agents the Suns should consider

It’s slim pickings now but there’s still help out there.

Dallas Mavericks v Sacramento Kings Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns have pretty much filled out their main rotation and have nearly completed their roster, barring something unexpected.

Free Agent Market is almost cleaned out other than the discount clearance rack but some of the players sitting on that shelf are appealing in certain ways.

So far, the main new signing for the Suns is JaVale McGee and he was inked because he filled a need. His size, rebounding and rim protection strengthened one of the team’s biggest weaknesses. He also knows what it takes for a team to win a championship. The imposing giant will help anchor the rotation. Having him and a healthy Chris Paul could have equaled a different result in the Finals.

Any player signed from here on likely won’t have a big or guaranteed role but they could still be of use to Phoenix basketball.

More shooting helps. More defense helps. More size helps. More (insert trait here) helps.

Shooters have off nights. Versatility is welcome on the defensive end. The odds are not every player in the rotation will play every game this season. Depth is always nice to have.

I’m going to skip the obvious and names that have been discussed here before.

Could Paul Millsap help? It’s possible. But he’s been talked about.

Would E’Twaun Moore and Langston Galloway be welcomed back? Of course. But we know who they are and I wouldn’t blame them if they wanted a bigger role elsewhere.

The point of this piece is to open some eyes to some players that haven’t been highlighted and why the Suns should consider them. Let’s take a look.


Dallas Mavericks v Cleveland Cavaliers Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images

J.J. Redick

There’s a saying that you can never have too many shooters. Well, Redick is the definition of a shooter. He’s made 1,950 three-pointers in his career at a 41.5 percent clip. Last season, his shot wasn’t falling as it’s known to with the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks. Still, netting 66 treys on 37.1 percent accuracy is far from awful and the year before he made 3.0 per game at a 45.3 percent clip.

J.J. may be looking for a bigger role but he would be a good addition to supply bombs from deep and a vet mentor for the likes of Landry Shamet who could step in when Shamet is off.

Also, there are connections. He played on the L.A. Clippers with Chris Paul from 2013 to 2017 and Monty Williams was an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers when he was there during the 2018-19 season.


San Antonio Spurs v Orlando Magic Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images

James Ennis III

He is a 3-and-D forward that flies high and fills the lanes, and has a 7-foot wingspan that allows him to play bigger than his 6-foot-6 height. With Torrey Craig gone, it wouldn’t hurt to have another player like him.

Last season, Ennis shot 43.3 percent from deep on 2.5 three-point attempts per game while posting 8.4 points, 4 rebounds and 0.8 steals nightly.

There’s a connection here as well as he also played on the 2018-19 76ers when Monty was an assistant there.


Washington Wizards v Toronto Raptors Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

Stanley Johnson

Defensively, he helps fill that long forward role and brings some more size with him. He’s 6-foot-6 but has a 7-0 wingspan and weighs 242 pounds.

Offensively, it’s not too pretty. However, Stanley is only 25 and still developing. He’s come along with his shooting as he netted a career-best 32.8 percent of his treys last season on 2.2 attempts per game while making 80 percent of his free throws. That shows potential and there are several members of the Suns that could help him improve there.

He would fit well in the 0.5 system as he owns per-36 numbers of 5.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals and only 2.0 turnovers in his career. Also, he played college ball at the University of Arizona.


Washington Wizards v Boston Celtics Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Tacko Fall

Do we need another big? Probably not.

But he’s 7-foot-5 and weighs 311 pounds. He set some of the highest marks ever at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine.

An 8-foot-2.25 inch wingspan and 10-foot-2.5 inch standing reach are the stuff nightmares are made of.

Add in the fact that his 26.5 inch vertical got him 2.5 feet off the ground. At his size.

He showed what he could do defensively against NBA competition in college as he held his own against All-Star Zion Williamson. This dude is also a solid rim protector in this league as his defensive field goal percentage near the basket is close to Rudy Gobert’s level.

Tacko has only played 169 total minutes in his NBA career over 26 games but he’s only 25 and has insane per-36 numbers of 14.3 rebounds and 5.1 blocks.

I mean, it wouldn’t hurt to get another big. Imagine the look on the faces of the opponents when Deandre Ayton is out, McGee goes to sit down and the Suns need a rim protector. You can see the smiles on their faces going away pretty darn quick when Fall checks in.

Another thing to know is if we sign him on Tuesday, PR could call it Tacko Tuesday. Wink.

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