Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Ryan McDonough’s multiple alternatives with the re-build

By Andrew Clark

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 4: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on February 4, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 4: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Charlotte Hornets on February 4, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Trade for Restricted Free Agents:

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 4: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 4, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 4: Jabari Parker #12 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 4, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

This has been the strategy that McDonough has talked about all along. Straight out of the Boston tradition, you stockpile assets and then you package them for the star you need. While Suns fans may have soured on the upside of players like Bender and Chriss, most of the league is still bought into their age and potential (and with good reason). Combined with the myriad of 1st round picks the Suns have and there’s reason a good deal can get done.

To maximize these trades what the Suns can do is trade for upcoming restricted free agents.  There are only going to be six teams with more than $10 million in cap room next year. What that means for restricted free agents is that there aren’t big deals to be had on the open market. As a result, the Suns may be able to trade for a restricted free agent and then lock them into reasonable long-term deals that gives the team more long-term flexibility than they’d have through any alternative.

Some ideas include:

Of all the options out there, this seems like the best possible route if the Magic are willing to play ball. Getting Gordon’s restricted contract without giving up the Suns own pick puts them in the best possible position for the offseason. This allows them to draft an Ayton, Doncic, Bamba, or Sexton and still have money to go chase a key free agent.  This is the most viable path to competitiveness. So much so that I’d even be willing to throw in the 2021 unprotected Miami pick if that’s what it took to get this deal done.

Yes I know that having Chriss, Bender, and Parker is overkill, but stick with me.

The Bucks aren’t going to have Parker put them over the top this year and they can’t afford to pay him next year so they should try to turn him into assets. For the Suns this is a calculated risk that none of the five other teams with $10 million+ are going to go load it up on an offer to the oft-injured Parker. As a result, the Suns should be able to retain him on a cheap deal. Bender and Chriss can both play the five when needed and so Parker adds a low-risk backup with All-Star potential who can make one of the other expendable if he can live up to his potential and stay healthy.

It’s a risk worth considering.

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