Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns 2018 offseason plans Part 2: Trades

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Brandon Knight #11 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 24, 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 24: Brandon Knight #11 of the Phoenix Suns warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 24, 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 8: Brandon Knight #11 of the Phoenix Suns throws a ball to fans after the game against the Golden State Warriors on April 8, 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 – APRIL 8: Brandon Knight #11 of the Phoenix Suns throws a ball to fans after the game against the Golden State Warriors on April 8, 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) /

Tyson Chandler and Jared Dudley

Last season I speculated that Brandon Knight could have been a part of a draft day trade that would have brought Phoenix another draft pick, or package of picks, relieving them of the deadlock at point guard that Knight faced with Eric Bledsoe, as well as moving on from him his larger contract ($14M a year) opening up cap space to seek out a top flight free agent.

Unfortunately Knight’s 2017 offseason injury – an ALC tear that would eventually keep him out of the entire season – prevented him from being traded, and relegated him to the training room for the first half of the season and the sideline for the second half.

Could Knight be traded this  offseason then?

Highly unlikely, and in fact, it appears that many fans believe that Knight should be the team’s starting point guard this coming season, filling that hole that on paper is gaping as wide as the Grand Canyon.

Tyson Chandler and Jared Dudley however stand a chance of finishing up the final year of their respective contracts with another team as McDonough might attempt to move them in earnest this offseason should the necessity for cap space arise to acquire a star player already under contract via trade or free agency.

Should no such opportunity come Phoenix’s way, neither of them have  to be traded as they are currently the only veteran talent on the roster and their roles as leaders for a young team trying to learn how to win are important. No doubt, neither of them should be traded off willy-nilly.

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