Legend of Tomorrow

In July, many transactions occurred after the NBA free market opened.

The Suns are the focus. In the past, they changed their lineup in a small way. This time, their lineup changed significantly, and half of them chose to leave the team. Two of the veterans have announced their retirement, and the others want to go to other teams to get more ball rights.

After becoming a member of a dynasty team, even a marginal player can receive a high evaluation. There must be a team making an offer to them, thinking that their rich playoff experience can improve their overall strength.

The Trail Blazers poached forward James Jones for $10 million over three years.

Of course, Brian Colangelo is not matched. After Jones won three championship rings, he doesn't know how much hard work he has left. Moreover, his role is very single, he can only catch and shoot three-pointers, and it is easy to find a replacement.

The Timberwolves poached point guard Steve Blake with a mid-level contract. Originally, this mid-level Timberwolves would use it on Mike James, but now the management wants a guard with championship experience who will not mess around, rather than a data brush like James.

The Suns will not consider this kind of contract. Blake also has a single role. He dribbles the ball through half the court, passes the ball, and then catches and shoots. He rarely breaks through and is not the kind of defender who can lead the team. The Suns won't have to play two point guards for too long.

It is very suitable for Blake to join the Timberwolves. He and Josh Howard work well together, and with Garnett, a star power forward who is good at supporting, the Timberwolves will move the ball well in positional battles in the new season.

The Timberwolves have the strength to make the playoffs next season, but the possibility of Garnett winning the championship with the Wolves is basically zero. If he can pass the first round, he will be successful.

Josh Powell, a fringe Suns player, also found a new home. He was poached by the Mavericks on a two-year minimum salary contract in order to strengthen his inside strength. The two centers of the Mavericks are both blue-collar workers. Powell is a big man who can shoot mid-range. He can partner with Nowitzki when playing small ball tactics.

Powell was already very happy after receiving this kind of contract. He was lucky enough to win a championship ring and fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA.

The person the Mavericks want most is Howard. Coach Little General Johnson is very optimistic about Howard's future, but the Suns will never assist the Mavericks in the Western Conference. This will directly create a competitor. The Mavericks don't have any players that the Suns like, and their draft picks are too late.

Nene accepted the five-year, $50 million contract offered by the Nuggets, and the Suns gave up on him. Stoudemire is also capable of his job, and Varejao has already performed at a high level. It is impossible to be a marginal player next season.

Although Varejao’s offensive ability is average,

It's difficult to put up luxurious statistics, but experts all recognize his defensive role, and there is data to prove it. After Stoudemire was injured, the Suns lost fewer points inside.

The Suns first renewed Haslem's contract with a full mid-level contract, and then added fresh blood in the free market, looking for someone who had not won a championship before and who fit the system. The Suns will not look for high-paid players. With three maximum-paid players and one mid-level player on the team, the only way to find stars is through trade.

Millsap, Roy, and Lowry signed with the Suns after the summer league. They all signed standard four-year rookie contracts.

Tim Thomas agreed to the conditions offered by the Suns and joined with a low salary of 4 million in two years. No team is willing to give him a big contract. His professional attitude was questioned last season. Other teams don't want him because they think he is a thorn in the side.

He had received a high-paying long-term contract before and was not short of money. If he wanted to win a championship, the Suns were the best choice.

If it weren't for the Bulls' lack of power forwards inside and their desire to achieve results, Thomas would probably have to be laid off in the mid-term. He can stay because the Bulls don't have Luol Deng.

Swingman Anthony Parker, who returned from Europe, signed a two-year, low-salary contract of 4 million with the Suns.

Parker is very satisfied with this contract. He has never proven himself in the NBA. If he went to other teams, he would have to play summer league or preseason games first. The Suns were willing to sign him directly and were very sincere.

Boss Brian is also very satisfied. This is the three-pointer Guo Xu is coming to. He has not missed it yet. Signing a three-pointer for 2 million is very cheap.

There is little point in signing a long-term contract with Parker. Parker will be 33 years old in two years. It is better to train new players. If there is a shortage of wing three-pointers by then, just sign someone through the draft.

In the past two seasons, the Suns' wings need to be signed and ready to fight. Ariza will be a free agent next summer and it will be difficult to renew his contract. Ariza neither renewed his contract in advance nor proposed a trade. He wanted to help the Suns win four consecutive championships, and then he would go to whichever team offered him more money.

The third free agent signed by the Suns is Clifford Robinson.

Robinson is 40 years old this year, 208cm tall and 102kg in weight. He mainly relies on mid-to-long-range shooting and is a well-known veteran in the league. He played for the Suns in the 1997-01 season. As he approaches retirement, he wants to return to the Suns and try to win a championship ring at the end of his career. This is his last chance.

In 1994, Robinson, who played for the Trail Blazers, was selected as a Western Conference All-Star, selected to the All-Defensive Second Team twice, and won the Best Sixth Man Award in 1993.

Robinson is also an iron man. He has played in 1,198 games throughout his career and only missed 19 games. Last season, at the age of 39, he averaged 7.5 points per game with the Nets as a substitute.

What he is good at is Rasheed Wallace's high-post play, and he can teach the Suns' young players some experience. In 2004, his total number of three-pointers ranked 21st in NBA history, and he was the tallest person in history with more than 900 three-pointers.

Bryan is willing to give out some favors, and Robinson can just be a fringe guy and get the ring. Phoenix fans are familiar with him and like him.

The Suns' last pick was given to veteran David Wesley, a strong combo guard nicknamed Mickey Mouse who played for the Rockets last season. He is 36 years old this year, his condition has declined significantly, and he also wants to win a championship ring before retiring.

Anyone who knows football can see that the Rockets led by Yao and Mai will definitely not be able to beat the Suns next season and have no chance at all.

Wesley has little role. He can occasionally play with Guo Xu as a double defender. He has certain organizational skills and is good at catching and shooting.

The Suns moved away eight players and added seven newcomers. The last spot will be empty. They will consider reinforcements during the season to better deal with injuries.

The management was afraid last season. No one is sure that the Suns players will stay healthy next season. Injuries are the biggest enemy of the defending champion team.

In July, the Suns' lineup for the new season was determined.

Center: Stoudemire, Varejao, Clifford Robinson.

Power forward: Tim Thomas, Haslem, Millsap.

Small forward: Ariza, Marion.

Shooting guards: Brandon Roy, Raja Bell, Anthony Parker.

Point guard: Guo Xu, Kyle Lowry, David West.

The Suns don't need too many people at the 3 position. As long as Marion stays healthy, he can easily play 35 minutes. Parker can also play small forward. The Suns will not be short of players, they will just be short of playing time.

Ariza won't be able to play for too long next season, so he can only play for about 15 minutes per game to support him for a while.

No basketball expert dares to underestimate the Suns this year. They were able to win the championship without two All-Stars and only lost two games in the playoffs. Next season, many people think the Solar will easily win the championship and hit the winning record in the regular season. Their offense is stronger.

With this lineup depth, Guo Xu feels that other teams really cannot play. Even if the league blows a black whistle next season, it will be difficult to kill the Suns. Seventy wins are predetermined, and it is unlikely to go below this number casually.