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Phoenix Suns: Setting Expectations For Trade Deadline

By Gerald Bourguet

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
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 /
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Phoenix Suns
Oct 16, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) and guard Goran Dragic (1) talk on the court during the game against the San Antonio Spurs at US Airways Center. The Suns won 121-90. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

The Trouble With Goran And Gerald

This summer, Dragic and Green become free agents. The Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and plenty of other teams will come calling for a stellar point guard like Gogi. If the Suns are unwilling to give Dragic what he will command on the market, or if he’s unhappy with the direction of the team, Phoenix could very well lose its Dragon.

Dragic is the Suns’ most attractive trade chip, but Phoenix wants to re-sign him and his trade value is nowhere near as high as his signing value; teams may be content waiting for him to become a free agent before trying to acquire him so they don’t have to give anything up. Even if the Suns wanted to trade Dragic, they probably wouldn’t be compensated for his full value.

Green could be moved to a number of destinations, but again, teams that want to keep him past this June can just wait until free agency, which also diminishes his trade value. The same can be said of Brandan Wright, which leaves the Suns with one starter and two major role players that won’t command as much on the trade market right now.

The Suns can afford to let Green and Wright go in free agency if they must, but Dragic has been Phoenix’s best player for the last three years and has become arguably this team’s most beloved player. The problem is he’s quickly approaching 30 and it will take a max deal to keep him around.

Would the tail end of his prime coincide with the peak years of younger stars-in-the-making like Bledsoe and Len? And would the Suns be better off once again breaking fans’ hearts with a Dragic trade to avoid losing him for nothing? I’m all in favor of re-signing Dragic, but doing so involves a full commitment to this current core…and faith that it can compete for a title one day.

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