Langston Galloway wanted to join a playoff contender, which is one of the big reasons he chose the Suns in free agency, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.
“The reason why I picked Phoenix, it’s a young, up-and-coming team that’s really on the move and can really help me going forward,” he said. “I really want to experience the playoffs and try to win a championship and I think this is the right organization to be with.”
Galloway, who averaged 10.3 PPG with the Pistons last season, signed a veteran’s minimum contract.
Detroit coach Dwane Casey was sad to see Galloway depart. “Langston is a leader, he sets the tone in practice, he’s a shooter and he’s a competitor,” he said. “He’s a quiet competitor.”
We have more on the Suns:
- Phoenix gave restricted free agent Jevon Carter a three-year, $11.5MM deal to stay put and that made him feel like a valued member of the team, as he described to Rankin in a separate story. “I felt like I was wanted here,” Carter said. “Even when I went through those stretches when I wasn’t playing, it never felt like they didn’t want me here.” A 6’1” guard, Carter appeared in 58 games last season, averaging 4.9 PPG in 16.3 MPG.
- Another restricted free agent that the Suns retained, forward Dario Saric, admitted to Rankin (Twitter link) that he was filled with uncertainty when free agency began. “I was like waking up saying, ‘Did anybody text me? Did my agent have anything to say to me?’ It was a couple of nervous days for me,” he said. “Everything ended up the right way for me.” Saric signed a three-year, $27MM contract.
- Head coach Monty Williams wouldn’t elaborate on Jae Crowder‘s status during the first day of full practice Monday, Rankin reports. “I can’t comment on Jae’s situation,” Williams said. “I’m just going to leave it at that.” Crowder was a big “get” for Phoenix in free agency, as he left the Heat and signed a three-year, $30MM contract.
- In case you missed it, B.J. Johnson was expected to join the Suns in training camp but he instead signed with the Heat.
Langston you know damn well you were looking for any deal a team would give you. Stop with the “I chose.”crap!
You sound mad.
If Casey was sad to see him go, then he probably had the ability to “choose” to stay.
Why would I be mad about my team losing Langston lol! He was a chucker! Run aroind and throw the ball at the rim. He had some nice moments. But def we are in way better shape. And Casey did not want to keep him becauseif he did Langston would still be a Piston. The players we got in his replacement are leaps and bounds better. Don’t get it twisted this is stricly basketball opinion. Ihave absolutely nothing against the man as a person.
Well to put it more simply. Suns took Langston from us. We essentially got Jackson from them. Let’s see what team comes out better for it at the end of the season. I think you know who my money is on.
I got you. I hope Jackson does well. Suns/Grizz gave up on him too early
Jackson is just there to shine up for flipping. Some still believe, (see the other Cavs fan response!). DET lost some lockerroom, but Weaver wanted changes anyway. Prob won’t hurt.
Obviously he didn’t have the choice of going to an actual playoff contender.
Educational guess
Jae Crowder, flu, covid like
Suns will be very nice next season
1. CP3. Galloway. Payne
2. Booker. Moore
3. Crowder. Bridges. Nader
4. Saric. Johnson
5. Ayton. Smith
Good depth, nice mix of experience and youth, some good shooters. I like the Paul Booker Ayton combo but I also like the forward depth with Crowder Bridges Saric Johnson and Smith at times. Monty Williams is a good coach too.
Think they possibly should add a back up centre with some experience and that plays that hard defence rebounding style. Something like Taj Gibson or Kyle OQuinn even Dwayne Dedmon.
Just to help Ayton and Smith develop and so when they aren’t in the game they don’t get destroyed on the inside
If Galloway is the backup point behing CP3. They are in baaaaaaad trouble!
They options with Galloway Payne Carter all capable as a back up point
Payne & Carter are prob the backups, Golloway a shooter.
This isn’t the place to account for Horst/MIL decisions but I had Saric for them. Good job Suns to keep him. The signing page on HR had about 7 congrats, about the most of any non-major signing. There were so many HR signing pages, I missed it.
Javon Carter is an elite defender, so I would assume he would be the main backup at PG, and will also see minutes with Chris Paul. I would put Galloway behind him, which gives them really good depth at those positions
I would also consider starting Crowder and Bridges together, but if not, I would consider keeping Bridges as a starter, and maybe playing him next to Saric. Obviously they paid Crowder, but Bridges played really well last year, and their defense was significantly improved, especially in the bubble. I think Bridges maybe complements their other playmakers in that lineup slightly more offensively, while Crowder would fit well with Cam Johnson and Etwan Moore off the bench, in that scenario
I don’t see teams like the Suns or Wolves really competing for anything but the back end of the playoffs. However, I do think the level of play lesgue wide will become better. Teams have more depth, more ‘NBA’ talent. Trending toward more parody. Only a few teams look truly atrocious like the Kings, Knicks, and Cavs unless their young players make big leaps.
The Suns should make the 7-10 seed play-in tournament with the likes of Golden State and New Orleans.
I don’t see the Timberwolves competing for the playoffs at all. 2nd worst team in West for me.
With KAT?!?!?
No way dude!
MIN is gonna be at the very least in the play-in games & could very well make it to the playoffs proper!
LOVE THIS TEAM!!!!!!!