Welcome to ‘Inside the Suns’, your weekly in-depth analysis of the current Phoenix Suns team.
Each week, Fantable – a round table of Bright Siders – gives their take on the latest Suns issues and news. This week free agency begins, but first we need to discuss Jordan Goodwin and Isaiah Todd, who also joined the Suns as part of the Bradley Beal trade, and Toumani Camara, who the Suns selected with the 52nd pick in this year’s draft.
Amazing question of the week
What are your thoughts on each of the Suns’ three newest players not named Bradley Beal?
1 – Jordan Goodwin (6’3″, 200-pound guard)
Saving: Goodwin looks like he can be a legitimate backup point guard in this league. Wizards fans were very disappointed that he was part of this trade, so that’s probably a good sign! He looks like a high energy guy who can attack the basket and knock down an open 3. We need as many nba quality players as possible right now and he certainly seems to fit the bill.
OldAz: Some talent there for sure, though it’s hard to judge based on highlights alone. For me, I would compare him to Cam Payne who has been up and down the last few years. Goodwin is a little bigger, a few years younger and appears to be more athletic. Would like to see him increase his facilitation of others when he is on the floor and improve his shooting from distance. If he does those things well this year, I think he has a chance to pass Payne in the hierarchy as the primary backup PG. getting him to pounce in the Beal trade seems like a real coup for the Suns.
Dan-Fly: Jordan has some size and a 6″10″ wingspan. He has very good defensive numbers, and is a point guard a position of need. With the big three and Ayton, I don’t see them playing a traditional point guard. Vogel’s rotations are going to be trial and error at first. I think his role will come from the bench, but I’m happy to have him here and if any of the big three miss time, they need someone to distribute the ball. Whether it’s Payne or Jordan, I don’t know.
Brrrberry: Goodwin certainly belongs in the league and we need as much youthful energy as he will bring as possible. Elite rebounder for his position, averaged 9rpg in his 4-year college career and 10+ his last two seasons at St. Louis. I’m sure that puts him in the 99th percentile for his position.
Offensively, he’s adequate for pretty much everything, mechanics on his 3-ball are inconsistent, handles the ball well and likes to get all the way to the basket. Defensively is where he can make a difference with his big wingspan and solid size. He likes to get after it and therefore has the ability to create a role. There will definitely be nights here and there where he will contribute to wins. Solid coming from the Sun as a “throw-in” to the Beal trade.
Rod: Unlike the last Goodwin who wore the purple and orange, this one could be a keeper. Although only 6’3″, he has a 6’10” wingspan and comes in with a rep as a very good defender, something that new head coach Frank Vogel appreciates. His 3-point shooting (31.9% career average) needs work, but his 2-point FG percentage is 50.6%. I think it is very likely that he earns rotation minutes this season and may replace Cam Payne as the backup point guard at some point.
2 – Isaiah Todd (6’10”, 220 pound forward)
Saving: Isaiah Todd is definitely the guy I’m most low on out of the new 3. Athletically, he looks good, but unfortunately his skill set hasn’t translated to the league yet and he looks like a bust. He really struggled in his limited time with the Wizards and in their G-League. You never know though.
OldAz: Project player at this point. I really don’t expect much other than to take a spot on the list.
Dan-Fly: I don’t see Todd getting a lot of minutes, but I don’t think he’s ready. But at 6′ 10″ he has size and we need to get younger and more athletic so I hope he develops into a decent bench player.
Brrrberry: I wouldn’t say he’s raw as they come, but he’s very raw and won’t be able to earn a spot in the rotation, probably at some point next season. Oddly, his mechanics from 3 look better aesthetically than Goodwin’s, so that’s a skill he has. Size (6’10) is ideal and above average athleticism to start, but lacks strength and ability to put the ball completely on the floor. Defensively, he will be a liability for a multitude of reasons, namely not strong enough to guard the C position and not mobile enough (or likely strong enough) to handle almost any PF in the league who has a passable offensive game, and you definitely don’t I don’t want him guarding the space out to the 3-point line.
Still super young, so as with any guy at 21 with ready-made size, NBA-level athleticism and the frame to shoot the 3, he has a chance to grow into someone deserving of minutes in the league. It will take him out and work in the crowd, and I cannot comment on his means of doing it. Development prospects practice body that will be relegated to towel waving duty if he is lined up.
Rod: It’s a tough read on Todd, but there’s definitely a reason he’s spent most of his first two years in the league playing on the Wizards’ G League team… and it’s not encouraging. In the Wizards’ last game of 2023, he actually got the start in a pointless game against Houston and played 45 minutes, but only managed 7 points on 2-of-14 shooting (plus 2 made FTs) and went 1-of-7 from 3. He however, got 12 rebounds, which is not nothing, even against one of last season’s cellar dwellers.
If he sticks with the Suns past training camp, I expect him to be one of, if not the guy sitting at the far end of the bench.
3 – Toumani Camara (6’8″, 220 pound forward)
Saving: Camara is the first NBA player to go to my dad’s high school, so him and his friends are really excited and I’ve heard all about him. He has great size and is a high-motor guy who can really attack the glass well. He projects as a Torrey Craig type if things go well. He is an excellent defender and was All-Defense this past college season. He shot ok from 3, but at a very low volume last year.
The hope is that summer league and training camp can get this guy some good reps so he’s not a complete zero on offense. If he turns into any type of role player on a title team, it’s a home run for the #52 pick.
OldAz: It’s hard for any rookie to step in and make an impact on an NBA team, especially one with championship aspirations. On bad teams, they will get plenty of court time and plenty of string to make mistakes, but that shouldn’t be the case here, and it will be very difficult for a late 2nd rounder to make a big impact on this year’s team. That said, Camara looks like a well-rounded player with versatility and a defensive mindset. If he can carve out a role where he gets 5-6 minutes a game later in the year (similar to the Ish Wainright role of previous seasons), it would be a great first year for the young man. I hope he shows that he belongs on the court with other NBA players.
Dan-Fly: Camara is exciting and I have hopes, he’s a quick learner, but he’s a rookie and I can’t see him getting minutes away from the vets. He is certainly athletic and plays hard, his defense will likely be the first thing to develop. But initially he will be a deep bench warmer.
Brrrberry: You see the dynamics in football (especially before NIL), where 3.-7. round turn into absolute studs when they hit the league. I’ve always attributed it to players finally being put in a position where their full time job is football and they don’t have to be spread thinly between work, school and sport. It’s less of a thing in basketball, but still appropriate. Camara looks like a guy who has all the tools to be able to become a player that exceeds expectations and his draft slot.
I think the chances of him playing any role in the playoffs are very slim, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play meaningful minutes during the season depending on how we round out the rest of the the roster, injuries, etc. His ambidexterity is unfathomable. impressive creature that he can windmill with his off the dribble in the game with his off hand. He also has good touch near the basket, finishing with both hands. If he can upgrade, get stronger, upgrade his handle and improve his catch and shoot the 3, he will be a piece. Seems to be intelligent and straightforward so I think he will have a strong work ethic. I look forward to seeing him develop.
Rod: Although he has a 7’1″ wingspan at 6″8″ I’m unsure if he’ll play best as a SF or PF in the NBA, but he looks like a good prospect, especially for a late second round draft pick . At 23, he’s already older than Todd, who technically has 2 years of NBA experience, but he fits what James Jones generally looks for in a rookie. Solid skills, plenty of college experience and a very good attitude. I looking forward to seeing how well he performs for the Suns during the Summer League games (starting July 8 against Milwaukee) in Las Vegas.
Whether he’ll have a role other than a bench warmer with the Suns this season will depend on how well he adjusts to the NBA and if his defensive skills translate. Vogel loves defense and may grow to love this guy, but I doubt he’ll be more than deep bench depth this season. He might even end up on a two-way contract, which would leave the Suns with another open roster spot for a minimum-level vet who would be more likely to be able to contribute right away.
As always, many thanks to our Fantable members for all their extra efforts this week!
Last week’s poll results
Last week’s question was:The return for DA in a trade will likely be…”
31.0% – Underwhelming.
59.5% – Fair, but not great.
09.5% – Great!
A total of 410 votes were cast.
This week’s poll is…
Read more