Suns reportedly end Paul Millsap pursuit to go young, which is the right move

The Phoenix Suns didn’t even spend 24 hours before coming back to Earth with their free agency strategy this summer. The team abruptly ended pursuit of Paul Millsap, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, and may look to trade their veteran players in an effort to go young.

It was always puzzling that the Suns were pursuing Millsap, as well as Blake Griffin, who the team had reportedly secured a meeting with before Griffin opted to re-sign the five-year, $173 million deal in Los Angeles. The team’s timeline means that they’re still several years away from contending, and all a good veteran like Millsap or Griffin could really do is tie up money and opportunities while making Phoenix a lower end lottery team rather than one who could potentially take a top-three pick.

While the Suns are going young, it seems that they aren’t sold on their 24-year-old center Alex Len. The Vertical’s Shams Charania reported that Len is one of the only restricted free agents on the market that could potential change teams this summer, meaning that Phoenix might not match Len if he receives an offer sheet that they deem is too high.

Len has struggled to hold down a starting spot in Phoenix even four years into his career, but he’s still young. The Suns’ core is based on the perimeter, though, and center might be a position they believe they can address at a later date. Phoenix’s future is based around Devin Booker and newly drafted Josh Jackson, while players like Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, and Tyler Ulis could join that longterm plan.

Regardless, this is clearly the move that the Suns needed to make. In a stacked Western Conference that is only getting tougher, they wouldn’t have made the playoffs maybe even if they had signed both Millsap and Griffin. It’s better for Phoenix to take the longer route to success, developing their prospects and adding another high draft pick or two to the mix.

Given that, it won’t be surprising to see Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight, Tyson Chandler or Jared Dudley on the move. The most tradeable asset might be Leandro Barbosa, who only has one non-guaranteed year at $4 million left on his deal. With the Suns reportedly opening up to the idea of going young — like they did late last season when they benched most of their veterans — then it’s only a matter of time before some of those names are moved.

The Suns won’t be good for a couple seasons, but that’s fine. It’s a natural part of the rebuilding process and Phoenix would be rise not to rush the process. As they say in Philadelphia, just trust it.