9 free agent bigs the Phoenix Suns could target

Ah man, here we go again.

The bargain shopping to improve an imperfect roster on the margins, you say? That’s all we’ve got for now, so deal with it. As more information comes in, we will make adjustments.

But for now, this list will focus on making this current iteration around Devin Booker and Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns better.

The culture and identity of this team must change, and that starts with adding some physicality and toughness up front.

• Read: 5 free agents who could help reshape the Phoenix Suns’ identity
• Related: The Suns need a center and the free agent market says, ‘good luck’

The Bigs

Steven Adams — 58 GP, 3.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 0.5 BPG, 1.1 APG, 54.5% FG, 46.2% FT

Suns snippet: Steven Adams is tough as hell. Steven Adams can rebound the ball. Sold? Yeah, me too. Those two traits are atypical of the Suns’ roster of late.

He isn’t much of an offensive threat, but he can give you a solid 10-15 minutes every night, and he’s still just 31 years old, so there’s plenty left in the tank.

Clint Capela — 55 GP, 8.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.1 APG, 55.9% FG, 53.6% FT

Suns snippet: Capela has long been rumored to the Suns (by fans) over the years. He isn’t the same player he was, but he’s better than what they’ve had in recent years. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, I know.

Either way, he’s one of the most impactful on this list and would pair nicely with Nick Richards to give the Suns a better center rotation than they had a year ago.

Bobby Portis — 73 GP, 6.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.6 APG, 66.8% FG, 69.1% FT

Suns snippet: Portis isn’t necessarily a center, though he can play a pseudo PF/C role in small-ball lineups standing at 6’10”. He can space the floor and is a threat to score 20 on any given night. He has mostly come off the bench in Milwaukee, so a promise to start somewhere else may be appealing to the 29-year-old big man. Price is the concern here.

Luke Kornet — 73 GP, 6.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.6 APG, 66.8% FG, 69.1% FT

Suns snippet: Kornet has played a key role on Boston’s bench the past couple of seasons, averaging 15+ minutes per game in each. Being a reliable rotation piece on a title contender is a plus. He had a monster 10-point, 9-rebound, 7-block game on a perfect 5-of-5 shooting in Game 5 against the Knicks to propel his stock.

I would like to see him in a larger role, which is something the Suns can promise over competitors.

Jake LaRavia — 66 GP, 6.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 47.5% FG, 42.3% 3PFG, 67.8% FT

Suns snippet: LaRavia is a solid stretch big who made his presence felt in Sacramento following a midseason trade. He profiles more as a power forward or stretch four than a center, but either way, the Suns need size and shooting. He brings both to the table. LaRavia is also just 23 years old, which would give them a welcome addition of playable youth.

Thomas Bryant — 66 GP, 6.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.6 BPG, 50.8% FG, 32.4% 3PFG, 85.9% FT

Suns snippet: Bryant is injury-prone, but he’s shown he can be a productive backup center when he does play. This year for Indiana, he’s played a key role off their bench backing up Myles Turner. Given the fact that he has played 50+ games just three times in his 8-year career, Phoenix would likely need to add another center as insurance alongside him.

The Others

These names aren’t as inspiring, but could be good values if they miss out on other options.

Chris Boucher — Raptors, F/C, 6’10”

Sandro Mamukelashvili — Spurs, F/C, 6’11”

Charles Bassey — Spurs, C, 6’10”

Who is your favorite target here, Suns fans? Or do you think they should look to draft their big man of the future? Let us know in the comments.

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