4 point guards Phoenix Suns could sign after Chris Paul joined Clippers
- Each potential point guard brings a different set of skills and experience to the table, ranging from veteran leadership to young potential.
Chris Paul won't be returning to the Phoenix Suns for a reunion after all. He agreed to join the Los Angeles Clippers on a veteran minimum on July 21.
The Suns have two roster spots open to make up the total 15 for guaranteed contracts and they still need another true point guard. The tandem of Devin Booker and Jalen Green is the team's projected starting backcourt. The Suns only have Collin Gillespie at the one behind Booker, primarily a shooting guard who has handled the point for much of the past two seasons.
The Suns are under the first league tax apron by $10.7 million after waiving and stretching Bradley Beal's contract on July 16 (Beal has since joined the Clippers), per SalarySwish. That same figure equals what they have left for a mid-level exception as a result. Spending more than $5.7 million of that $10.7 million would hard cap Phoenix at the first apron.
With the NBA in the fourth week of free agency, here are four available point guards Phoenix could consider signing prior to training camp.
Russell Westbrook
Age/experience: 36/17 years
Height: 6-foot-4
2024-25 averages (with Denver Nuggets): 13.3 points per game, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.9 assist-to-turnover ratio, 27.9 minutes in 36 starts, 75 games played
Career averages: 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.6 steals, 2.1 ATO
Analysis: Westbrook is a former MVP and was named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. His name might help fill seats at PHX Arena. Westbrook has become a journeyman veteran point guard since he ended his legendary 11-year run with Oklahoma City in 2019, when he was traded to Houston for Paul. Westbrook has been on four additional teams, including the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and Nuggets thereafter. He was a solid contributor for the latter two as a sixth man, but struggles in the clutch, remains an inconsistent outside shooter who opposing teams sag from along the perimeter (30.5% career shooting from 3) and is turnover prone.
After the Lakers bought out Westbrook in 2023, he has signed veteran minimum deals for less than $4 million. The Suns can afford that, getting his veteran leadership for their new young roster. He would add depth with Gillespie and bring rim attacks and height along the perimeter at a bargain.
Malcolm Brogdon
Age/experience: 32/nine years
Height: 6-foot-4
2024-25 averages (with Wizards): 12.7 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.8 rpg, 2.7 ATO, career-low 23.5 minutes in 24 games, 13 starts
Career averages: 15.3 ppg, 4.7 apg, 4.1 rpg, 2.6 ATO
Analysis: Brogdon is a solid backup, who won Sixth Man of the Year honors following the Boston Celtics' 2022 NBA Finals run. Soon to move onto the fifth team of his career, Brogdon was a serviceable playmaker for the league's second-worst team, the Wizards, last season. His health and jumpshot are the biggest concerns. Brogdon shot a career-low 28.6% from 3, but 38.8% for his career. He's appeared in just 63 games over the past two seasons because of injuries.
Ben Simmons
Age/experience: 29/seven years
Height: 6-foot-10
2024-25 averages (combined with Brooklyn Nets, Clippers): 5.0 ppg, 5.5 apg, 4.7 rpg in 22.0 minutes
Career averages: 13.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.5 steals, 55.8% shooting
Analysis: Simmons is known for being more injured than on the court since he was Philadelphia's No. 1 overall pick in 2016. Despite his questionable past, the former All-Star has shown some occasional signs of reverting to his days as a top point-of-attack defender and distributor who can play multiple positions at his size. His stellar 14-9-8 performance in Phoenix's home loss to Brooklyn on Nov. 27 last season is an example. Simmons was bought out by Brooklyn at the trade deadline in February, then joined the Clippers off waivers. If he were to join Phoenix, it's definitely not for stretching defenses because Simmons avoids shooting from deep. But his addition could "align" with the Suns' offseason initiative for building a new identity of toughness and grit on defense, putting more length and height in the backcourt and for switches.
Jared Butler
Age/experience: 24/four
Height: 6-foot-3
2024-25 average (with Philadelphia 76ers, Wizards): 9.0 ppg, 3.7 assists, .448/.355/.824 splits, 2.8 ATO
Career averages: 6.7 ppg, 2.8 apg, .450/.341/.818, 2.5 ATO
Analysis: Butler may not be as familiar to fans. Although the 76ers declined their team option to keep him, that doesn't mean he can't be serviceable elsewhere. Butler isn't a great defender, but he's young, would come at a good price and has upside as a decent shooter who can prove that he belongs in a system as a glue guy that can score in spurts.