With NBA free agency looming, the Phoenix Suns are bound to come up as a possible landing spot for several players as reports of them opting out of player options surface.
Like Draymond Green.
News recently broke that the Golden State Warriors forward was declining his player option, making him an unrestricted free agent and allowing him to sign with whatever team he chooses in 2023 NBA free agency.
While many sites instantly linked Green to a possible return to Golden State, and others connected him to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, the Suns were included in speculation and odds to be Green’s next team.
Could Draymond Green really join Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker in Phoenix in free agency or perhaps through a sign-and-trade?
Check out some chatter surrounding Draymond Green and the Phoenix Suns.
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Sportnaut: Suns an ‘ideal’ landing spot for Draymond Green
Vincent Frank wrote: “Fresh off acquiring Bradley Beal in a blockbuster trade, Phoenix is going all in. It is also receiving trade interest for enigmatic center Deandre Ayton. That’s where a sign-and-trade could come into play. The salaries would be pretty much be a match. Meanwhile, Golden State needs to add a big to the mix. Postseason struggles aside, Ayton is still only 24 years old and offers upside. Sure, it would be hard for two division rivals to pull off a deal of this first. But the Warriors would likely cater to Green if he decided to leave in free agency. Obviously, Phoenix would be a target destination for the four-time champion.”
Clutch Points: Suns need to target Draymond Green
Jack Deignan wrote: “After trading for Bradley Beal, Draymond Green is the exact player that the Suns need to target in NBA free agency. The Suns have the offensive star power to play with anyone now, as the big three of Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker is absolutely elite at scoring the ball. However, they now lack severely in depth and defense, and will need to bring in guys who are willing to sacrifice glamor for the betterment of the team. Fortunately, Draymond Green has always done what his team needs of him and it has helped him win four championships; the Suns now have their exact target in NBA free agency. The Suns undoubtedly made the move for Bradley Beal because they know it is now or never to win an NBA Finals with their current stars. Building a championship roster around Beal, Durant and Booker is imperative regardless of how much it leverages their future. If they can’t win with their current stars, the entire organization will probably be upended besides new owner Matt Ishbia. Green would come in with the championship mentality and experience, as well as having chemistry with Durant from their days together with the Warriors. Trading for Bradley Beal makes the Suns intent to contend now serious, and adding Draymond Green in NBA free agency would further establish that intent.”
More: Bradley Beal trade shifts Phoenix Suns’ NBA Championship odds for 2023-24 season
ESPN: Suns could be a contender for Draymond Green
Adrian Wojnarowski said on SportsCenter: “There will be teams with salary cap space like the Detroit Pistons from his home state of Michigan, and then other teams that don’t have salary cap space, mostly among contenders, who would love to have Draymond Green . They’d need to work a sign and trade with the Warriors. You could go through teams like Dallas, Phoenix, the Memphis Grizzlies, the Miami Heat. There will be no shortage of contenders who would love to find a way to get Draymond Green.”
ESPN: Suns would be title favorites with Draymond Green addition
Kendrick Perkins said: “I know it may be a long shot, but it’s definitely a shot. If the Phoenix Suns could get Draymond Green in free agency, that would instantly make them the title favorites. [Phoenix] could get Draymond Green, that does wonders and elevates them to another level when it comes down to culture, defensively, all across the board. It would be the best thing in the world for Deandre Ayton, and we saw the difference in Kevin Durant on the defensive side of things when he played with Draymond Green. Draymond Green has this leadership and this energy that when he puts that key and that tenacity into the team, it rises to a different level.”
DraftKings: Suns included in Top 5 odds for Draymond Green
The site lists the Warriors as the favorites for Green, at -120, but it has the Suns in the Top 5 at +1100. The Lakers are second at +550 and the Mavericks are third at +800. The Rockets round out the Top 5 at +1500.
More: Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker predicted that an NBA superteam would come to him in 2018
NBA Twitter was abuzz with speculation about Draymond Green and the Phoenix Suns:
Should the Suns pursue Draymond Green?
More: NBA insider slammed for Phoenix Suns’ Bradley Beal, Landry Shamet trade comment
Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Draymond Green speculation, odds, landing spots include Phoenix Suns