Suns fans wanted multiple moves! And they got them! They’re just not the earth-shaking trades we were all hoping for.
In the final minutes before the 1pm Arizona Time NBA Trade Deadline, Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough did what he does best and made a trade of a fan favorite with his back literally up against the deadline timer.
Alas, the two moves he executed were of very little consequence moving forward, although one in particular had been speculated for some time.
First, the Suns made a minor move with the Atlanta Hawks:
Sources: Atlanta has traded Mike Scott to the Phoenix Suns for cash.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 23, 2017
For statistics on Mike Scott, check out his basketball-reference page here. For information about a drug arrest a little over a year-and-a-half ago, read here.
The Suns had an empty spot on the roster, and with Dragan Bender out for some time, Mike Scott at least adds a little coverage off the bench in case of further injuries. Scott certainly makes very little difference on this roster and will probably not have any role in the Suns’ future.
Eight minutes later Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the one trade that seemed to be most likely to occur all along, was finally completed.
Sources: Toronto is sending Jared Sullinger and two future second-round picks to Phoenix for PJ Tucker.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 23, 2017
Details of the trade are as follows, per Arizona Sports 98.7’s John Gambodoro:
The Suns got Jared Sullinger and unprotected second round picks in 2017 and 2018 from Toronto for PJ Tucker.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 23, 2017
Speculated for some time now, sending P.J. Tucker to the Toronto Raptors certainly looks to be a very smart move for a Toronto team desperately trying to compete against the Cleveland Cavaliers, their Eastern Conference Finals foes from last season. Although – at least for this season – the move is relatively inconsequential for Phoenix, they do lose their only defensive stopper.
P.J. Tucker will be returning to the team that drafted him, and for whom he played in 17 games for during the 2006-07 season. There will be no chance at seeing Tucker play the Suns this season as the two teams have already played their two games against one another, with Phoenix winning both.
The Suns and their fans now turn to the final 25 games of the regular season and the “Lose it for Lonzo” sweepstakes as the Suns tank for better chances at landing a top-3 pick in this summer’s NBA draft. Trading Tucker will certainly hurt the team more than gaining Sullinger and Scott, so the chances of losing enough to land one of those very high picks and the potential shot at a long-term franchise point guard is still good.
The Suns face-off P.J. Tucker-less against the Chicago Bulls tomorrow night. The Bulls also made a move today that re-shapes the face of their roster somewhat. Check out PippenAintEasy.com for more information about the moves they made this afternoon.
As always, check back to Valley of the Suns here, on Facebook, and on Twitter, for more information and opinions about the team and how today’s moves (or lack of moves) effects the Phoenix Suns going forward.