Tips to Survive NBA Trade Season And The Suns’ Bright Future
By Eric Saar
I’m writing this because some fans I talk to are worried to differing extents about the direction of the Phoenix Suns.
This is certainly understandable as Phoenix has suffered some brutal losses recently, and have the impending free agency of their cornerstone player in Goran Dragic. Really though, the apprehensions of the general public are always heightened come February as the trade deadline approaches on the 19th. This is the time for rumors to fly all over the place about nearly every team and tons of players, ranging from super-boring to ridiculous and fantastical.
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In this time, remember a couple key points. First, the big trades that happen are usually the ones that you don’t hear about. Secondly, think about the source. While a rumor can come to light through media members of varying respectability, these rumors can be leaked by the team or a particular player’s agent. I mean, it can even be leaked by a family member or friend who had no authorization to even say anything.
The reason anything is leaked is basically for leverage in trade or contract negotiations. Think about the potential agendas when a trade is rumored.
While we don’t necessarily listen to coaches and GMs at this time of the year, we need to keep in mind the nuances of draft picks, salaries and most importantly, roster construction. Teams don’t usually trade for just any player.
Finally think about the attitude or mindset of a team. Some team/players just will never work together (for example, Nick Young and the San Antonio Spurs) while others are a natural fit and part of the culture (Tim Duncan and the Spurs, David West and the Indiana Pacers and Tony Allen and the Memphis Grizzlies).
Perspective
So now that we’ve dealt with how we approach trade season in the NBA let’s look at the Suns in particular.
A couple years ago, the team was in a shambles. There was really no optimism when you’re signing the likes of Hedo Turkoglu and Hakim Warrick as your saviors to turn around the team.
That has changed. With the masterful work of general manager Ryan McDonough and head coach Jeff Hornacek there is reason for hope. As we are in the midst of trade season, I can be assured that no matter what happens in terms of specific personnel, McDonough will get either equal value (but better roster construction or veteran presence that will help make the push to the playoffs) or even an increase in the value of the assets. He’s proven that, even in such a short time.
Expectations
There were no expectations two years ago and that rolled into last season until the incredibly youthful team surprised everyone by making a serious run at the playoffs in the hotly contested and competitive Western Conference. Now this year, the expectations are a bit outlandish. Of course the fans feel it is justified. What else would you expect from a franchise who boasts the fourth-highest win percentage in NBA history? But it’s still a bit far-fetched, considering the Suns are also one of the youngest teams in the league with no players over 30 and an average age of 24.7 years old.
They shouldn’t be so close to the playoffs, with such a young roster AND no All-Stars? No way that should be happening, but they are on the verge if they can hold of the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder. This is the second year of a rebuild.
The point is, the future is bright.
Step into my time machine and we’ll project three years into the future and see what it will be like.
2017
The year will be 2017 and the NBA landscape has drastically changed. We’ll get to the Suns in a second, but let’s just look at their competition in the Western Conference.
By then, for sure Kobe Bryant will be retired and the Los Angeles Lakers will continue their rebuild. For the Spurs, Duncan and Manu Ginobili will be retired, Tony Parker will be 35 and past his prime, and who knows about head coach Gregg Popovich. He could also retire. They’ll have NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, but that’s not a playoff team.
The Grizzlies’ championship window could be closed with Zach Randolph at 36, Marc Gasol at 33 and Mike Conley at 30. For the Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki will be retired and Rajon Rondo will be 31, Monta Ellis will be 32 and Tyson Chandler will be 35. The Los Angeles Clippers will be nearly past Chris Paul’s prime as he will be 32, and their spark off the bench Jamal Crawford will be 37.
They’ll still have to tangle with the likes of the Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets, but certainly a handful of the nemeses Phoenix has faced over the last decade will be gone, or at least much less impactful, giving the Suns a significant advantage.
The Phoenix Suns
Picture this: basically everyone on the roster will be “in their prime.” Dragic will be at the end of his at 32, but it’s not like he relies on his athleticism. He’s basically Steve Nash 2.0. Maybe not quite that good overall, but you get the point.
Eric Bledsoe and the Morrii will be 28 (basically the perfect age in basketball, if there is such a thing). Then there is Archie Goodwin, Reggie Bullock, Tyler Ennis, T.J. Warren and Alex Len, who will be “veterans.” They will not make those rookie mistakes and will have their NBA bodies, but still have that youthful energy.
I doubt Phoenix will still have Gerald Green, P.J. Tucker, Miles Plumlee or Isaiah Thomas in three years.
That’s the core of the team.
Imagine a lineup of “in their prime” Bledsoe, Dragic, Mook, Keef, Len backed up by slightly younger, but solid, Ennis, Goodwin, Warren, (insert someone in free agency) and Brandan Wright.
Come 2017 that roster will go deep in the playoffs.
Final Comments
Obviously things could change and some of these players could be gone. But can you tell me with a straight face the team will be worse in 2017? With McDonough at the helm, and Hornacek on the sidelines, we have a cohesive culture of excellence we haven’t had for a while. They turned around the team in short order and have it set up for short-term and sustained success.
So…the Phoenix Suns may or may not make the playoffs come April and May, but the future is certainly bright. Don’t get too caught up in the crazy trade season, but look to the future and fuel the fire!
Next: Evaluating The Phoenix Suns Heading Into The All-Star Break