With NBA free agency coming up, 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.
The news broke recently that The Golden State Warriors forward declined his player optionmaking him an unrestricted free agent and allowing him to sign with whichever team he chooses in 2023 NBA free agency.
While many websites immediately linked Green to a possible return to Golden State, and others linked 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?
Watch some talk about Draymond Green and the Phoenix Suns.
Bradley Beal Trade Qualities: NBA writer explains rough character for Phoenix Suns
Sportnaut: Suns an ‘ideal’ landing spot for Draymond Green
Vincent Frank wrote: “Phoenix is fresh off acquiring Bradley Beal in a blockbuster trade, and Phoenix is going all-in. It’s also getting trade interest in enigmatic center Deandre Ayton. That’s where a sign-and-trade can come in game. The salaries would be nice much be a match. Meanwhile, Golden State needs to add something to the mix. Postseason struggles aside, Ayton is still only 24 years old and offers upside. Of course, it would be difficult for two division rivals to complete a deal on this Like. But the Warriors would likely accommodate Green if he decided to leave the game. Obviously, Phoenix would be the target for the four-time champion.”
Connection points: The Suns should target Draymond Green
Jack Deignan wrote, “After trading Bradley Beal, Draymond Green is the exact player the Suns should target in NBA free agency. The Suns have the offensive star power to play with anyone now, as the big three in Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are absolutely elite at scoring the ball. But they are now severely lacking in depth and defense and will need to bring in guys who are willing to sacrifice glamor to improve the team. Fortunately, Draymond Green always has what his team needs from him and that 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’s now or never to win an NBA Finals with their current stars. Building a championship roster around Beal, Durant, and Booker is imperative, no matter how much it leverages their futures. If they can’t win with their current stars, the entire organization will likely be erected besides the new owner Matt Ishbia. Green would come in with the championship mentality and experience, as well as having chemistry with Durant from their days with the Warriors. Trading Bradley Beal means the Suns intend to contend now seriously, and adding Draymond Green in NBA free agency would further establish that intent.”
More: Bradley Beal changes the Phoenix Suns’ NBA Championship odds for the 2023-24 season
ESPN: Suns could be a contender for Draymond Green
Adrian Wojnarowski said on SportsCenter: “There will be teams with cap space like the Detroit Pistons from his home state of Michigan, and then other teams that don’t have cap space, mostly among contenders, who would love to have Draymond Green They should have a sign and trade with the Warriors. You could go through teams like Dallas, Phoenix, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat. There will be no shortage of competitors who would love to find a way to get Draymond on Green.”
ESPN: Suns would be title favorites with Draymond Green addition
Kendrick Perkins said, “I know it might be a long shot, but it’s definitely a shot. If the Phoenix Suns could get Draymond Green in free agency, it would instantly make them title favorites. If [Phoenix] could get Draymond Green, who does wonders and elevates them to another level when it comes to culture, defensively, across the board. That 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 another 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 an NBA super team would come to him in 2018
NBA Twitter was full of speculation about Draymond Green and the Phoenix Suns:
Should Suns Pursue Draymond Green?
More: NBA insider slams Phoenix Suns’ Bradley Beal, Landry Shamet trade comments
Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on the Arizona Republic: Draymond Green speculation, odds, landing spots include Phoenix Suns