I mean, wouldn’t we all?
Armed with a ton of trade assets while being stuck between rebuilding and “competing,” the Phoenix Suns rank as one of the NBA’s most interesting teams ahead of the Feb. 23 trade deadline. You could totally see them cleaning house and selling off veterans and unwanted prospects. You can also envision them doubling down on the current nucleus of Eric Bledsoe and Devin Booker and attempt to land a star.
The latter is the Suns’ preferred scenario, according HoopsHype’s Alex Kennedy:
Today, I spoke to a general manager who was stunned that the Suns haven’t been talked about more leading up to the trade deadline because they are looking to make a big move.
The GM told me that the Suns would love to package their assets to acquire a star. Keep in mind, this is a team that has all of their first-round picks, incoming first-rounders from the Miami Heat (in 2018 and 2021), and a roster full of young players such as Devin Booker (20 years old), Alex Len (23), TJ Warren (23), Brandon Knight (25), Marquese Chriss (19), Dragan Bender (19) and Tyler Ulis (20) among others that could be packaged in a trade. Much like the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets, this is a team that has the ability to put together a very interesting package.
If the Suns aren’t able to add a star (since that’s always easier said than done), executives expect them to double down on their rebuild approach and try to accumulate more young pieces and draft picks.
They have veterans such as Eric Bledsoe (27), Jared Dudley (31), PJ Tucker (31), Tyson Chandler (34), Leandro Barbosa (34) and Ronnie Price (33). If Phoenix can net a young player or pick for some of those players, rival executives believe they will likely do so.
It would be easier for the Suns to cobble together a blockbuster offer if Brandon Knight was playing better, Dragan Bender wasn’t injured and Alex Len wasn’t due for a raise in restricted free agency. They have their own first-round pick to dangle—a potential top-three selection—but it only makes sense to deal a high-end choice that could turn into a top point guard if you’re certain Bledsoe is your guy for the long haul.
Even then, it’s hard to imagine the Suns pulling off anything major. They are always active, but there just aren’t a ton of stars available. Serge Ibaka has already been dealt to the Toronto Raptors, and Phoenix will have no business getting involved for aging dudes like Paul Millsap or Dwight Howard should they become available. Ditto for fringe stars like Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari.
If the Suns do anything, it’ll be fire sale-esque. P.J. Tucker is in the last year of his deal and doesn’t figure into the big picture, they appear to have outgrown Knight, and Len’s place in the pecking order has never been less secure with Marquese Chriss and Bender on the books. Those are the names to monitor in advance of the trade deadline, with perhaps little bit of Jared Dudley, Tyson Chandler and Leandro Barbosa sprinkled in.
