Phoenix Suns Forward Josh Okogie Candidate for Strong Season

Fastbreak believes Suns forward Josh Okogie is in prime position to have himself a year in Phoenix.

The Phoenix Suns have mostly kept the band together this offseason. 

Deandre Ayton was the team's most notable free agent, and he returned after signing an offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers (which was picked up quickly). Fellow center Bismack Biyombo also will remain in Phoenix after hitting free agency. 

Devin Booker inked a massive extension to keep him with the Suns down the stretch of his career, while most others players of concern are still under contract. 

While Phoenix has lost JaVale McGee, Frank Kaminsky and Aaron Holiday to the open market, the Suns have been able to recoup talent both in trades and free agency.

The Suns notched center Jock Landale in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks while signing guard Damion Lee.

However, forward Josh Okogie is perhaps the most intriguing offseason outside addition. 

Fastbreak's Brett Siegel recently constructed an article diving into one player from each team who could have a breakout season, and Okogie made the cut for the Suns:

Josh Okogie Candidate for Strong Season

"The Phoenix Suns core of Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton is back for yet another season even though there was some skepticism surrounding the futures of Bridges, Crowder and Ayton in trade talks for Kevin Durant. Nonetheless, this team is almost exactly the same and will once again be a title contender in the Western Conference," said Siegel.

"The changes Phoenix made though were to their bench, as the team added Damion Lee, Jock Landale and former first-round pick Josh Okogie. While he may not necessarily have a breakout, career-year like others featured on this list, Okogie will be utilized by the Suns as a strong wing defender.

"Possessing a 7-foot wingspan as a 6-4 wing, Josh Okogie is the perfect type of player for the Suns to utilize in their second-unit for defensive purposes. Monty Williams is a smart, defensive-minded coach, Mikal Bridges is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and there are plenty of other smart, veteran defenders on this roster, which is why Okgoie will be able to settle in early on and learn more about how to be a high-impact defensive player over the course of the year. Getting offensive production from him, specifically from the three-point line, would be an added bonus for Phoenix."

During the 2021-22 season, he played in 49 games (6 starts) and averaged 2.7 points and 1.4 rebounds in ten minutes per contest. While his three-point shooting (career 27.5% behind the arc), his shot conversion near the rim (40.3%) is acceptable.

Okogie (6-foot-4, 213 pounds) will turn 24-years-old in 2022 and plays for the Nigerian national team. He is mostly known for his defensive prowess, and played in the 2019 Rising Stars Challenge. 

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