The Phoenix Suns have been looking for pieces to trade, and Alex Len should be a top priority.
While the Suns seem more interested in potentially shedding the contracts of Tyson Chandler and Jared Dudley at this point, each with two years remaining and thus under contract for a combined $23M+ in 2018-19, the only non-future-core player who could potentially give Phoenix a first round pick in return is Alex Len.
Now, I will say this: I do not believe that Len will be traded until the deadline in February. At this moment the season is still too young and a team that might be willing to flip a first round pick for a rental of the young center will want to see several months of proof that he will be a solid and consistent enough player for them down the stretch and into the playoffs.
At that time though, the Suns will hope (and expect) for there to be a bit of a bidding war for Len’s services, should he produce the necessary numbers to attract several teams to him, and presuming that the majority of those teams will be somewhat desperate to add a decent all-around center for the stretch run, Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough should be able to milk one last first round pick from someone to use as future bait in a trade package down the line.
Phoenix Suns
For any doubters or naysayers, Alex Len is in the perfect position to be traded for a first round pick even as only a second half and playoffs rental. Not only does he have a history of health (he has missed a total of nine games over the past two seasons), but presuming that his early season performances are no fluke (8.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, both career-highs, and 4.4 personal fouls per-36 minutes, a career-low), a team will be acquiring a player that can easily snag 8 to 10 precious rebounds per game, even off the bench. Len would also provide a decent level of rim-protection with just under one block per game, as well as his ability to step back on offense, unclogging the lane for drivers.
All of those are necessary qualities in a front court for a team seeking a deep run into the playoffs.
Len’s contract too is desirable as it is so small (only $4.18 on the season, although when pro-rated, much smaller), potentially allowing any number of teams the ability to trade only the desired pick for him, or a single player with a relative valued contract, which Phoenix can immediately waive (in conjunction with the pick, of course).
The obvious teams who might be looking for a center for the stretch run are those who have suffered injuries to a front court player that at this moment are unforeseen. This, of course, opens up the trade possibilities to literally every team in playoff contention come February, as many as potentially 24 at that time. However, to narrow down to which of those may be most desperate regardless of roster health, just look at those teams who are even now currently expected to be in playoff (and even championship) contention, but who are in the bottom half of the league in rebounding, potentially needing a boost in that category to make a strong playoff run: Milwaukee (30th), Toronto (24th), Orlando (23rd), Oklahoma City (22nd), Cleveland (21st), Minnesota (20th), Houston (15th).
*Obviously Orlando is an outlier on that list, but for a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2012, they might actually become desperate enough to make such a move should they be pressed, to try and put them over the top and at least guarantee admission into the Eastern Conference dance.
That being said, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Minnesota, and Houston, all have championship arguments at this moment. Any one of them may – come February – desire as much defense on their roster as possible to prepare for the slowdown grind of the playoffs. Having as many possessions as possible – and making sure their opponent has as few as possible – is extraordinary important, thus making rebounding a primary focus.
It should be noted that Alex Len has the right to refuse any trade as he signed a qualifying offer over the summer (he also cannot be traded until at least December 23rd, but that shouldn’t matter because not enough teams would become desperate enough to acquire a rental player for a first round pick until the deadline). He too would lose his Bird Rights..
This isn’t a matter though and likely not an obstacle in anyway. For starters, it is hard to imagine that Len would reject a trade to Houston or Cleveland. They are among the potential championship favorites and the opportunity to play for either of them would be – one would assume – too great to pass up.
If he was traded, he would also lose his Bird Rights. This too shouldn’t be an obstacle since the Suns very likely have zero interest in re-signing him thus making that right entirely moot, something that he and his representation will be, if they are not already, aware of.
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Therefore, Phoenix should shop Alex Len around when the time comes. Even if a team offers Phoenix a top-25 protected first round pick this season, the ability to have that additional piece to help facilitate a trade – or multiple trades – will be invaluable.
Alex Len is the perfect player to be traded for a first round pick. And I do believe that it will happen.