Getty Image / Christian Petersen
It has been less than 24 hours since the Phoenix Suns were eliminated from the NBA playoffs and the focus has already shifted to how they can reload for next season.
It has already been reported that the team is expected to pursue trades for Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton to make room for some new additions.
Now it appears that they may already have their sights set on a couple of players who could replace one of the stars they are hoping to move on from.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Suns have been linked to Fred VanVleet and Terry Rozier as potential replacements for Chris Paul.
Teams are well aware Chris Paul’s contract is only half-guaranteed for 2023-24. Deandre Ayton will have suitors on the trade market. Monty Williams’ name has surfaced in Bucks coaching whispers. For @YahooSports, what’s next for Phoenix is anyone’s guess: https://t.co/AyIDafIsRb
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) May 12, 2023
Both players have put together strong seasons in recent years and play for teams that could be willing to move on from them after disappointing results during the 2022-23 season.
However, there is one option here that seems to make the most sense.
If these are the two names the Suns are going to consider at point guard, VanVleet appears to be the better option.
Rozier is the better scorer of the two, but Van Vleet is the better distributor, which is a bigger need for the Suns.
With Booker and Durant, they really don’t need another player capable of scoring 20 per night. Instead, they need somebody that can make it easier for the two of them to score.
With Paul unavailable the last few games, Durant and Booker having to constantly create for themselves and their teammates clearly took a toll on them.
VanVleet also has championship experience that certainly couldn’t hurt for a Suns team that has come up small in key games over the past two seasons.
The Phoenix Suns will definitely be looking to make some big moves this offseason to finally get the franchise’s first ring and it looks like a move for Fred VanVleet or Terry Rozier could be one of them.