Suns Connected to Breakout Small Forward

Yuta Watanabe is a name to watch for the Phoenix Suns.

The Phoenix Suns will find themselves in plenty of rumors, speculation and headlines over the course of the next few months as the team begins to adjust the roster to what they believe to be championship level. 

You'll see plenty of star names connected with Phoenix, and even two of their own names (Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul) could be on the way out.

However, Phoenix undoubtedly needs to add depth, and in The Athletic's recent free agency preview, one breakout player was deemed an "obvious" fit in Phoenix: Brooklyn Nets SF Yuta Watanabe.

"Watanabe had a breakout year in Brooklyn, shooting 44.4 percent from 3, but the Nets’ crowd at the forward position makes it seem unlikely he’s back. A solid defender with a limited offensive repertoire beyond the catch-and-shoot game, Watanabe would be a good pickup as a fourth forward who can fill in at either spot, although he’s probably more comfortable at the three," wrote John Hollinger.

"One obvious place to look for him on a minimum deal would be Phoenix. The Suns will likely need to sign several minimum deals to fill out their roster this summer, and Watanabe could be reunited with Kevin Durant and again play off him for open 3s."

Hollinger hit the nail on the head: Phoenix already has significant money invested in star players, so players arriving on veteran minimum deals will very well dictate how strong their depth is next season, a glaring weak spot for the roster. 

Watanabe also fills a need for more shooting along the roster, and his experience playing alongside Durant certainly doesn't hurt. 

The Suns will certainly be bargain shopping this summer - it's hard to imagine this not being a fit.