Valley of the Suns
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How the Suns could SERIOUSLY move up to 1st overall

By Adam Maynes

Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) moves the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford won 76-69. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) moves the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford won 76-69. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) reacts after being fouled against the TCU Horned Frogs during a game at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. TCU won 86-71. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) reacts after being fouled against the TCU Horned Frogs during a game at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. TCU won 86-71. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

With the Cleveland Cavaliers seemingly appearing vulnerable at the moment, the Boston Celtics have a real opportunity to overtake their rivals in East and be the next team to be knocked out in five game in the NBA Finals next June (sorry, but it’s true).

In that case, the Celtics might want to retain the core that they have, while adding another superstar to the bunch. Obviously Jimmy Butler would be that kind of player, and with his contract potentially being less than what they would need to sign Gordan Hayward, acquiring Butler while maintaining enough cap space to re-sign Amir Johnson, and potentially Isaiah Thomas in 2018, would put them a strong position moving forward.

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Aside from trading the first overall pick to the Suns, the Celtics would have to move Jae Crowder as well, although by acquiring Jimmy Butler, the trade off would be more than an upgrade. If it is at all needed to make this trade happen, the Suns could also throw in the 2018 Miami Heat pick, which is basically replaced with the acquisition of the pick from Chicago.

The Bulls receive Eric Bledsoe to presumably replace either Dwayne Wade and/or Rajon Rondo, while also acquiring a young ready-to-shine small forward in Jae Crowder. With the fourth pick Chicago would also have the opportunity to draft any one of the presumed options, but could surprise everyone and subsequently drop back a little to potentially take a player like De’Aaron Fox as their future point guard, while acquiring an additional asset, be it a player or future draft pick, to help to continue to re-build while remaining competitive.

Phoenix would again presumably draft Markelle Fultz, while acquiring Zeller for the same purpose as mentioned in the first trade. Additionally, the acquisition of the 2018 Bulls pick gives them a chance to still package their own 2018 pick with a second first rounder to move up next summer and possibly manage to land a top-five pick for the third straight year.

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