Rising...

At first , the Phoenix Suns looked like someone ready to go to the playoffs and head for the FInals. They took Rudy Fernandez, a good player with a shooting guard and fastbreak mentality and was part of Spain's recent World Championship.Suddenly, they didn't, they gave the guy away for cash. That's not what your supposed to do. At least get a decent big man from the deal to help out Amare Stoudamire. ANyway, they still got Alando Tucker( who got a two year deal) and DJ Strawberry later in the draft. I guess they needed more cash to pay a good player.

The Suns still , however, look ready for a title. They're keeping the nucleus of Steve Nash, Stoudamire, Shawn Marion, Raja Bell, and young guns Boris Diaw and Leonardo Barbosa. Another good news is that Kurt Thomas will still be around and Grant Hill will be joining them soon. They also traded away James Jones as soon as the Portland deal gets done. To me, the Suns can capitalize on this years free agency. tough youngsters in Tucker and Strawberry will help but adding some muscle can help too.

free agents to sign, no rankings, just suggestions.

1. PJ Brown CHicago Bulls, Brown showed that he can still play with the youngsters and was often in the frontline next to Ben Wallace with the Bulls. He adds another tough defender in the post to the Suns. Kurt Thomas is already there but another body probably wouldn't hurt their salary or at least trade someone like Jumaine Jones or Jalen Rose for the guy.

2. Chris Webber- Detriot Pistons- Webber played center for the Pistons and was go-to-guy with the 76ers. Adding him brings a guy who can play with the Western conference bigs and will probably add another good passer to a team with a past-first MVP point guard. The only downside is his age and running game but he will be looking for a veteran's wage and most importantly, a championship.

3.Chris Mihm, Los Angeles Lakers, Mihm is a big question mark. If he's fully recovered from ankle surgery, HE can be a force on the block as well as a good back-up to either Stoudamire or Marion. He's been to the West and can also defend some big guys like Duncan and Garnett. He's asking salary and question mark is the downside and the fact that he hasn't played that much in the west as Thomas did.

4.Anderson Varejao- Cleveland Cavaliers , Varejao went to the Finals with Lebron James and may stay in Cleveland since he became a star there. His hustle and defense are a good fit for the Suns. However, he doesn't do much scoring and Stoudamire will probably take his job so, he's not a must sign guy.

5.Jamaal Maglore- Portland TrailBlazers- He has good experience and is as good as Brown. He's also younger but might ask as much as mihm is asking and didn't have a good season last year.

6.Austin Croshere- Dallas Mavericks- He's a good shooter and fit well with the Mavs. He's probably a good fit with the Suns too. A good get but will ask for a long term deal.

7. Kevin Cato- New York Knicks- old but a solid player. The Darell Armstrong- center guy.

8.Rafael Araujo- Utah Jazz- The Jazz wants to keep him so he might be something the Suns can work on.

9.Andray Blatche- Washington Wizards- another defensive gem but will ask a lot. Money does keep people down.

10. Joe Smith- Philadelphia 76ers- Showed he wasn't a small part in the IVerson trade. might not be as expensive as some think.

11. Grant Hill- Orlando Magic- brings flexibility and shooting at the back court next to Bell or Nash.

12.Darko Milic- orlando Magic- the Magic didn't want him so why not bring him in with Hill? might ask for $6 million as well and a long term deal but worth the price.

13.Kevin Willis- Dallas Mavericks- He says he can play! The Mavs took him and he wasn't used much. He's the oldest active free agent but can be risked at a veteran's wage. He's big anyway. Suns get desperate.


Either sign one or two of these guys can make the suns a championship team. They already are. They just need to win. Rise SUns...Rise....