National Basketball Association

7 Superstars The Phoenix Suns Should Buy Low On

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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November 15, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) controls the ball against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Doing research for a few other recent pieces here on Valley of the Suns, I was struck by something I hadn’t fully contemplated until now: the Phoenix Suns have a history of fleecing other teams in trades.

Throughout the Phoenix Suns‘ history, management has made some really big trades where they received star talent and gave up little in return. There are a variety of reasons a team is able to ‘buy low’ on a superstar: disagreements with the coach/ownership, injury concerns, and more.

Paul Westphal, Kevin Johnson, Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Antonio McDyess, Penny Hardaway, Joe Johnson, Eric Bledsoe – all names that immediately come to mind as very good to superstar players who the Suns received in a trade where what they gave up either immediately or ultimately proved to be very little.

Which got me thinking: the Suns are in rebuild mode now. And while I would say that the consensus is that rebuilding through the draft may provide the best shot at long-term results, one simple trade where the star they acquire is more than they gave up can fast forward that process very quickly.

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Before you shoot down any of these in your mind, take solace in a couple of things: I am not predicting what the Suns would give up for any of these players. I mean I could, but in a fleecing, the Suns can’t give up too much and so anything I say would seem too unrealistic.

Also, do not discount creativity/desperation. Teams may be showing a positive face to the media, but are panicking behind closed doors.

We never know, so while a trade may seem unrealistic now, at least one of the teams may be desperate to dump one of these guys and will be looking for creative ways to make it happen.

So without further ado: Seven Superstars the Suns Could Potentially Trade For.

Apr 9, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) reacts to a call during the second quarter of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

DeMarcus Cousins – The clock seems to have been reset in Sacramento, but when a player has been so publicly unhappy with his team for so long, it only takes a light breeze before his most recent temper tantrum becomes his last.

The Kings are no closer to the playoffs now than they were a year ago, and a change of scenery could do him good – especially when NBA players are being assaulted in Sacramento.

Look for the Kings’ asking price to come down when they realize that he’ll be more difficult to trade after an outburst now, than a year ago – a theme you will notice throughout this list.

Blake Griffin – The Suns are hoping that they selected a future dynamic power forward this past draft, but they could certainly guarantee having one on their roster now by trading for Blake. The Clippers have been sliding the past couple of years, and this offseason they did absolutely nothing of significance to place themselves above the pack.

Should the Clippers get to Christmas at only .500, do not be shocked to see Blake’s name in a lot in trade rumors. Those rumors already began last year which is beautiful for the scenario in which the Suns steal him away, because odds are the asking price was too expensive then. If desperate, it could drop significantly now.

Feb 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) drives against Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Washington Wizards won 103-94. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Jahlil Okafor – His name came up a lot this offseason – even connected to the Phoenix Suns – and generally where there’s smoke there’s fire. The Sixers have three potential stud centers, Jahlil possibly being the best of the bunch, and will have to move at least one at some point.

Again, they may have actually waited too long to get the value they are looking for. When the Sixers accept that they can no longer keep all three on the roster – or management realizes that they actually have to win at some point by adding veteran talent – then a trade will be in the works.

Hassan Whiteside – Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside are not enough to carry the Heat, even in the lowly Eastern Conference. If Chris Bosh truly is done in Miami as Pat Riley recently asserted – and there is no doubt that even if he plays again he is on the downside of his career – then the Heat may want to begin their rebuild ASAP.

The Suns have two of the Heat’s next five first round picks. I do not want to predict what a trade could be, but dangling one or both of those back for Hassan may be enticing.

Apr 1, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) looks over to the bench in the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Washington Wizards won 106- 99. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

John Wall – I wanted to throw his name in here because, the Phoenix Suns should be looking to upgrade every position on the roster, including the deepest position they have: point guard. Unless ,the Wizards make a blockbuster trade for a superstar to pair up with Wall, the Wizards really have nothing else.

Some will say “they have Bradley Beal!” To that I say, “So? Isn’t Rudy Gay the same player? Big deal!” Sometimes trades do not scream “this has to be made!!” Sometimes teams shock the world. The Wizards trading John Wall could shock the basketball world.

James Harden – If Devin Booker has grown to play the 3, then James Harden could easily slide into the Suns backcourt.

A defensive liability, there is no arguing that his offensive skills would be exciting in PHX. The Rockets are falling apart, and while most Suns fans look fondly upon Mike D’Antoni because of his time in Phoenix, when this experiment fails, they maybe looking to flip Harden off to move another direction, and a return to Arizona could be afforded for a lower price.

Aug 19, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; USA guard Paul George (13) grabs a rebound ahead of Spain center Pau Gasol (4) and Nikola Mirotic (44) during the men’s basketball semifinal match in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Paul George – George’s name began coming up in trade rumors this past year (especially when he was having disagreements with Larry Bird over which position to play). On the Phoenix Suns, he would immediately put the Suns into playoff contention.

Of course that makes a trade difficult. The Pacers would almost certainly require Devin Booker, and if Booker gets involved in the negotiations, that kills it from the Suns’ perspective. This is where the Suns would need something dramatic to happen to lower George’s trade value.

Indiana knows that the Suns will not trade Booker, but the Suns may still be best suited trade partner if they’re willing to give up very significant assets.

Now, Indiana has re-tooled their roster and may be better primed to compete this season (note Larry Bird and Paul George seem to be getting along better as well). But if things do not work out as planned, the Suns will be waiting with their assets.

If you love any of these players in particular, throw out your best trade scenarios in the comments below. Remember, I took this from the angle of history: big name players can be had in situations where not a lot was given up. Plus, be creative. For the Suns, they very well might have to be to make a trade for any of these players happen.

Also, if there anyone that I left off the list that you could plausibly place as a trade target for the Suns, leave that comment below as well!

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