Phoenix Suns: Setting Expectations For Trade Deadline

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February 2, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek (second from right) instructs his team in a huddle against the Memphis Grizzlies during the third quarter at US Airways Center. The Grizzlies defeated the Suns 102-101. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Phoenix Suns are in a tricky spot with the trade deadline rapidly approaching. If all you knew about this team was that they’re the third-youngest group in the league, you’d probably guess they were in the middle of a long-term rebuilding project.

Thanks to Suns general manager Ryan McDonough, that long-term rebuild jumpstarted less than two years ago. Now, the team appears to be stuck between waiting for the young talent to reach its full potential and expecting more from a playoff-caliber team.

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With a 28-23 record, the Suns sit at eighth in the loaded Western Conference. They’ve undoubtedly benefitted from injuries to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, but Phoenix only has a one-game lead on the New Orleans Pelicans and a two-game lead on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the West’s last playoff spot.

Feb. 19 is the NBA’s trade deadline, and for a lot of Suns fans, it represents the last opportunity for McDonough to make some groundbreaking move that pushes this team to the next level. But after spending hours staring at ESPN’s NBA Trade Machine, trying to work out deals for Phoenix’s top potential trade targets, I came to a troubling conclusion: there might not be one.

Sure, Taj Gibson might become available, but there are very few trades that make sense for the short-term (playoff hunt) AND the long-term (contending for a title one day) future of this team. Most of the deals the Suns can make would move them laterally in some way, especially since Phoenix cannot take on more than 150 percent of additional salary plus $100,000 in any single-player deal other than one involving Eric Bledsoe.

Even more importantly, the Suns have a valuable draft pick coming from the Los Angeles Lakers in the next three years (top-five protected in 2015, top-three protected in 2016 and 2017), so even more young talent could be on the way.

Here’s a look the various reasons Suns fans should temper their expectations — even with wunderkind McDonough at the helm — for the impending trade deadline.

Next: Taking The Next Step

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