The Phoenix Suns should try to focus on more of the positives than negatives when reviewing a potential Kemba Walker acquisition.
Recently, it came out that the Charlotte Hornets were trying to trade their star point guard Kemba Walker. Here at Valley of the Suns there was a reaction article published that gave “Four reasons the Phoenix Suns should avoid Walker“. This article gave plenty of valid concerns and reasons why trading Walker wouldn’t wise. However, there are several positives when looking at a potential trade that brings Walker to Phoenix.
The Trade
Any deal for Walker would have to include at least one of the Charlotte Hornets’ bad contracts. With that in mind, this hypothetical trade here includes that.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the youngest of the unwanted Hornets’ contracts and could be a part of the Suns’ long term plans. Walker would be a better second fiddle to Devin Booker, than T.J. Warren could ever be. This young Suns’ squad gets a proven floor general in Walker that will help elevate the games of everyone else on the roster. The Hornets get rid of two big contracts and get Warren, who’s actually worth his contract. They also get a young point guard in Tyler Ulis and a first round pick. Greg Monroe is in this trade just to make the deal work from a financial standpoint.
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Josh Jackson‘s time
Trading Warren in this proposed deal would signify the beginning of the Josh Jackson era. He’s showing signs of coming into his own offensively during January, scoring in double digits in five out of the six games he has played in thus far. Trading Warren would give him more opportunity and having Walker as a playmaker will give Jackson easier chances to score.
Improved Defense
Based on defensive box plus/minus stats, both Walker and Kidd-Gilchrist are better defensively than Ulis and Warren are at their respective positions.
| Rk | Player | Season | Age | G | MP | PER | TS% | 3PAr | FTr | ORB% | DRB% | TRB% | AST% | STL% | BLK% | TOV% | USG% | OWS | DWS | WS | WS/48 | OBPM | DBPM | BPM | VORP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Kidd-Gilchrist | 2017-18 | 24 | 38 | 1008 | 14.1 | .529 | .006 | .300 | 5.0 | 14.1 | 9.5 | 7.1 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 6.3 | 17.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 2.3 | .109 | -1.7 | 1.3 | -0.4 | 0.4 |
| 2 | Tyler Ulis | 2017-18 | 22 | 45 | 1080 | 9.4 | .452 | .253 | .211 | 1.5 | 6.8 | 4.1 | 25.8 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 17.5 | 17.5 | -0.5 | 0.4 | -0.1 | -0.004 | -2.8 | -2.0 | -4.9 | -0.8 |
| 3 | Kemba Walker | 2017-18 | 27 | 42 | 1452 | 20.3 | .549 | .407 | .307 | 1.3 | 9.1 | 5.2 | 28.9 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 9.2 | 27.1 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 4.7 | .154 | 4.7 | -1.0 | 3.7 | 2.1 |
| 4 | T.J. Warren | 2017-18 | 24 | 43 | 1385 | 18.6 | .541 | .091 | .259 | 6.2 | 12.1 | 9.1 | 8.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 7.3 | 26.0 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 2.6 | .092 | 0.1 | -1.8 | -1.7 | 0.1 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/22/2018.
With Jackson starting and Kidd-Gilchrist coming off the the bench, the Suns would always have a strong perimeter defense on the floor. MKG could also play small-ball four for the Suns. For those who say MGK can’t shoot, remember that Warren has limited range as well. Kidd-Gilchrist has shot better than Warren from the 10-16 foot range. MKG may not be the volume scorer that Warren is, however they are similar in efficiency on offense, but MKG is a better defender.
Improved Spacing
Having Jackson and Walker in the starting lineup would help the Suns’ 3-point shooting. Walker’s shooting 34.3 percent from the 3-point line, where as Ulis shoots 25.9 percent from the same range. Jackson shoots much better from deep than Warren. Having Jackson is a much better option for floor spacing than Warren and will actually help the flow of the Suns’ offense. More floor space will make offense easier for every Suns’ players. The Suns’ are the second worst 3-point shooting team in the NBA, adding Walker would only help the franchise. Walker and Booker would get easier 3-point shot attempts playing off each other. They could be a scary offensively as a one, two punch.
Next: Player of the Week: Booker can’t be stopped
The concerns around any potential trade involving Walker going to Phoenix Suns are still valid. Fans and the Suns’ front office should review the positives of adding Walker and not just focus on the negatives.