I spent some time on the ESPN Trade Machine, here are some of the possible deals I found for the Suns as we get closer to the trade deadline.
(All of these deals are computed using the ESPN Trade Machine, each trade is successful based on salary considerations)
I mostly focused on the following Suns players that I think have the best chances of being dealt:
PJ Tucker
Brandon Knight
Alex Len
1. Phoenix Suns send PJ Tucker to the New Orleans Pelicans for Omer Asik and a 1st round draft pick in 2018 (Lottery Protected)
Pelicans
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I think this trade works for both sides. New Orleans gets a veteran defender for a bench they desperately need to upgrade if they want to try to turn things around this year. The Pelicans also get out from under the rest of Asik’s contract so they can find another piece to put along side Anthony Davis this summer. New Orleans is in win-now mode, so they can afford to give up a lottery protected first.
The Suns get another big man with a “good” contract, including this year, 4 years and ~43.8 million. Asik has been pretty dreadful and his best days may be behind him, but a change of scenery may revitalize him. With the crazy contracts handed out this last summer, if Asik can settle into a decent backup at the 5, he’s worth 10 million a year. Phoenix primarily executes this trade for the protected 1st from New Orleans.
2. Phoenix Suns send Brandon Knight, Alex Len and a 2017 first round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez
Nets
This one may be pushing it, I admit. Brooklyn needs to deal Lopez for young talent and picks to rebuild, with only this year and next left on Brook’s contract, the time is now. I’m not sure that they will get much more than a package like this from a different team. Brooklyn is a good place for Knight to be able to start and the Nets have plenty of cap space to give Len $16ish million a year (If you think I’m crazy, please see Mozgov and the Lakers) to be a placeholder and a decent big man while they rebuild from the ground up. The Nets won’t be competitive for the next 3 years, Lopez has to go.
Dec 5, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) blocks a shot by Washington Wizards guard John wall (2) during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
The Suns get Lopez under contract for all of next year and they have the cap space to give him an extension. Brook is only 28 and can be the starting 5 for the Suns for the next 5 years. It would sting to give up a high draft pick, but the Suns have good young talent with Booker and the 2016 crop of rookies. With Bledsoe on a great contract for a few more years, Lopez should give the Suns enough of a bump to seriously contend for the playoffs next year.
3. Phoenix Suns send Brandon Knight to the Indiana Pacers for Rodney Stuckey and Lavoy Allen
Pacers
I’ve had a hard time trying to figure out what the market might be for Brandon Knight. He’s been really good at points this season, and really bad at points. But this is one spot I could see him land. Monta Ellis is on the wrong side of 30 and declining. The Pacers could use a younger guard to slot at the 2 for the foreseeable future. Knight also has a Monta like game, a streaky scorer who needs the ball in his hands.
The Suns get a solid veteran guard in Stuckey and a backup big in Allen. Stuckey would be better suited for a bench role than Knight and is signed thru next season to a friendly contract. Allen is a middle of the rotation big that could be used when the rookies get into foul trouble. Maybe Indiana has to throw in a pick to make this trade worth it for Phoenix, but I see a guard like Stuckey better off in the role that the Suns have been using Knight this season.
What moves do you think the Suns will make this season?
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