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The Phoenix Suns have had an active offseason - that much is a certainty.
Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory leaned heavily into keeping the roster continuity intact between re-signing three key players and handing out a three-year contract extension to forward Dillon Brooks.
However, Gregory did shake the continuity factor up by trading for 2018 lottery selection Miles Bridges. Parting with sharpshooters Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale stung, but Gregory had a clear backup plan in mind when working towards completing a trade.
That plan was former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Luke Kennard.
Kennard is one of the most respected three-point specialists in the entire NBA, as he holds a career mark of 44.2% from behind the arc, which reflects well on his rating in NBA 2K. The yearly NBA simulation game deemed Kennard as the third-best shooter in the league (tied with Duncan Robinson) with a 93 rating.
How does this relate to Phoenix's prospects in-season with real-world rotations being employed by head coach Jordan Ott?
A lot more than one may think at the surface.
The immediate fallout from parting with Allen and O'Neale was felt right off the jump as mentioned above. The two standout wings were among the most efficient volume shooters in the entire NBA, which left a Grand Canyon-sized gap in Phoenix's rotation that didn't get soothed by bringing in Bridges.
The Suns' starting five as currently constructed isn't an exceptional shooting unit, but signing Kennard fixes a lot of these kinks in theory. The Duke product is an absolutely elite stationary shooter, but doesn't get nearly enough credit for his ability as a movement shooter, either. His presence alongside star guard Devin Booker is also an intriguing pairing on-paper, as Booker is well-known for creating ample three-point looks off of dribble drives.
The one thing holding Kennard back in Phoenix's offense is history. While the 30 year old does possess historically strong percentages from the three-point line, he also only averages a meager four attempts per game.
Kennard's reputation as an elite three-point marksman has permeated the NBA world (including virtually), but he can only make so much difference without finding a way to uptick the volume on a nightly basis.
Ultimately, the signing is one that is a strong value for Phoenix regardless, though time will tell if the 6'5" guard becomes a consistent difference-maker in an offense that needs a jolt.
Continue reading...
Phoenix general manager Brian Gregory leaned heavily into keeping the roster continuity intact between re-signing three key players and handing out a three-year contract extension to forward Dillon Brooks.
However, Gregory did shake the continuity factor up by trading for 2018 lottery selection Miles Bridges. Parting with sharpshooters Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale stung, but Gregory had a clear backup plan in mind when working towards completing a trade.
That plan was former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Luke Kennard.
Kennard is one of the most respected three-point specialists in the entire NBA, as he holds a career mark of 44.2% from behind the arc, which reflects well on his rating in NBA 2K. The yearly NBA simulation game deemed Kennard as the third-best shooter in the league (tied with Duncan Robinson) with a 93 rating.
How does this relate to Phoenix's prospects in-season with real-world rotations being employed by head coach Jordan Ott?
A lot more than one may think at the surface.
The immediate fallout from parting with Allen and O'Neale was felt right off the jump as mentioned above. The two standout wings were among the most efficient volume shooters in the entire NBA, which left a Grand Canyon-sized gap in Phoenix's rotation that didn't get soothed by bringing in Bridges.
The Suns' starting five as currently constructed isn't an exceptional shooting unit, but signing Kennard fixes a lot of these kinks in theory. The Duke product is an absolutely elite stationary shooter, but doesn't get nearly enough credit for his ability as a movement shooter, either. His presence alongside star guard Devin Booker is also an intriguing pairing on-paper, as Booker is well-known for creating ample three-point looks off of dribble drives.
The one thing holding Kennard back in Phoenix's offense is history. While the 30 year old does possess historically strong percentages from the three-point line, he also only averages a meager four attempts per game.
Kennard's reputation as an elite three-point marksman has permeated the NBA world (including virtually), but he can only make so much difference without finding a way to uptick the volume on a nightly basis.
Ultimately, the signing is one that is a strong value for Phoenix regardless, though time will tell if the 6'5" guard becomes a consistent difference-maker in an offense that needs a jolt.
Continue reading...
