The Phoenix Suns are currently 26-39 (13th in the Western Conference) putting them 6.0 games back from the eighth seed with only eight games left. While that could potentially make the Suns eligible for a spot in the play-in tournament, things just became a lot more difficult now that Kelly Oubre Jr. will officially miss the remainder of the season. As the NBA is set to return from the COVID-1 quarantine, the Suns have to re-assign roles to replace their third-leading scorer.
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 17, 2020
After being selected by the Washington Wizards with the 15th overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft (draft night trade with Atlanta in 3-way deal), Kelly Oubre Jr. had a tough hill to climb as he aimed to turn potential into production. Oubre Jr. was not a force by any means in the nation’s capital, but the lanky prospect brought intensity, effort, and a never quit attitude to a franchise that wasn’t accustomed to that culture.
The former Kansas star showed early flashes of being a lockdown defender with his ability to cover multiple positions, but he would often get big bodied by more experienced ballers. Nevertheless, Oubre Jr. started showing true offensive improvement before he was inexplicably shipped out of Washington by former Wizards General Manager Ernie Grunfeld for an aging rental in Trevor Ariza. Despite being one of the last Restricted Free Agents to sign, Tsunami Papi’s early impact in Phoenix has proven he’s worth every cent of that 2y/$30M price tag.
Since his arrival in the desert, Oubre Jr.’s potential has turned into true progression as the smooth lefty’s stroke now hits at a clean 35.2% clip. Oubre Jr. always played with a sense of confidence, tenacity, and heart, but his offensive game has shown new forms of life after getting out of Bradley Beal and John Wall’s shadow.
Early in his career, Oubre Jr. mightily struggled to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot, but he’s shown flashes of development in Arizona. Oubre was almost like a “deer in the headlights” as he would attack the hole with reckless abandon, which almost always seemed to end with a wild turnover or an exhilarating poster dunk. Every basketball fan knows great athleticism, heart, and length cannot be taught, but basketball IQ and technique can be learned.
At 24 years old, the sky is the limit for the slender Oubre Jr if he can find a way to stay healthy after this recent setback. Hopefully, this nine-month hiatus will him develop his shot off the dribble and continue to harness his three-point stroke. While Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton rightfully soak up most of the spotlight in Phoenix, Oubre Jr. is a name to monitor throughout the 2020’s.
Second-year General Manager James Jones & Head Coach Monty Williams have fully entrenched Kelly Oubre Jr. as one of the franchise cornerstones. Based off his steady production at 24 years old, “Tsunami Papi” will likely build on this season and surpass his $15M/yr contract in the near future before possibly breaking the bank next year.
FUTURE OUTLOOK: A- (All-Star caliber)
The Phoenix Suns have built a young lengthy core of forwards with tremendous defensive upside. With all three of their primary Small Forwards under the age of 25, the Suns fanbase has a lot to look forward to for years to come.
The Philadelphia native and former Villanova star Mikal Bridges was ecstatic on draft night as he was drafted with the tenth pick by his hometown Philadelphia 76ers. Unfortunately for Bridges and his mom, he was shipped to Phoenix 30 minutes later in a draft day trade for G Zhaire Smith and a first round pick. Despite the early heartbreak, Bridges has carved out a niche as one of the smartest and most versatile young defenders in the Association. The former National Champion is the type of prospect teammates love because of his unselfish attitude and willingness to let his defense do the talking.
Due to the addition and impact Kelly Oubre Jr.’s had on the court, Bridges volume is down across the board from his Rookie campaign. Bridges is not a high-volume offensive player at all, as he only takes 6.3 FGA/GP despite playing a sizable 27.3 MPG. Nevertheless, his efficiency is sky rocketing as Bridges is shooting 51.6% from the field (43% in 2018) and 35.2% from three (33.5% in 2018) in his Sophomore season. Although he might have lost his starting role early in his career, the Suns have to be impressed thus far and realize he’s destined to become a starter again sooner than later.
Cam Johnson is the tallest of the bunch and has predominantly played Power Forward in his first year as a pro, but has the build and tools to play Small Forward. Johnson was identified as the best shooting prospect coming out of North Carolina and hasn’t disappointed by shooting an easy 39.7% from three. The only reason the former Pittsburgh transfer doesn’t play more SF is because he lacks the functional athleticism it takes to guard arguably the deepest position in the NBA. However, with Johnson only weighing 205 pounds (the same as Oubre Jr. and five pounds less than Bridges) Head Coach Monty Williams has to ensure he’s always matched up on the correct player or he could get dominated in the paint.
The Suns are overloaded at the Center spot with the likes of DeAndre Ayton, Aaron Baynes, and Frank Kaminsky. Of the three, Kaminsky has the ability to play Power Forward position due to his ability to hit jumpers and he played 71% of his minutes at PF for the Charlotte Hornets in the 2017-18 season. The Suns would be smart to move Kaminsky back to PF to backup Dario Saric, which would allow Cam Johnson to become the backup SF behind the defensive-minded Bridges if Oubre departs in Free Agency next year.
The Suns realistically have a very small chance of making the playoffs this year and a minuscule chance of having any playoff success. However, with a young squad that looks to be on the cusp of something special, they could decide to trade the collection of potential assets they have for a premier producer that helps them get over the hump in 2021 and helps lead them to their first postseason appearance in over a decade.
SUNS FORWARD OUTLOOK: B (Solid starters if Oubre Jr. doesn’t re-sign)
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