Valley of the Suns
Fansided

How the Suns can pull off a trade for a star

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 13: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans watches from the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 13: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans watches from the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on February 13, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets

PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 16: Greg Monroe #14 of the Phoenix Suns passes the ball against Clint Cappella #15 of the Houston Rockets on November 16, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – NOVEMBER 16: Greg Monroe #14 of the Phoenix Suns passes the ball against Clint Cappella #15 of the Houston Rockets on November 16, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Even a trade offer of Devin Booker and the 2018 first round pick for James Harden would send the Rockets’ front office off into a spat of uncontrollable laughter.

Therefore, the best option for a star, or at least a positional upgrade, would be a trade offer for Clint Capela.

A restricted free agent with bird rights in 2018, the Suns would have first dibs on him if they saw him as their center of the future. Currently averaging 14.0 points and 11.1 rebounds in Mike D’Antoni’s system, if that can be transferred to Phoenix, he would be one helluva pickup.

The question is, how much would it take to snag him.

In all honestly, probably a lot more than it’s worth prior to free agency. Because of the franchise’s single-minded focus of upending the Golden State Warriors, what value is there in moving on from Capela in the midst of a potential championship season?

The Suns would have to trade Len for sure, although because he is unrestricted, then expect to offer something more in the way of a handout of the future. The Suns’ own first round pick would need to be included, and probably more. I’d see Troy Daniels having value in a trade with a championship contender, but to rip Capela away early will take additional expensive, top-shelf, talent.

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