Valley of the Suns
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Calling Vlade Divac: Could the Phoenix Suns trade with Sacramento

By Andrew Clark

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 08: Vice president of basketball operations and general manager of the Sacramento Kings Vlade Divac watches warmups before the team's preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on October 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 75-69. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 08: Vice president of basketball operations and general manager of the Sacramento Kings Vlade Divac watches warmups before the team's preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena on October 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Los Angeles won 75-69. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 12: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on December 12, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 12: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on December 12, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Let’s Get Crazier:

This comes from a similar theory but more assets being leveraged on both sides.

The Kings love Luka and so you give them the certainty of getting Luka. In addition you toss in an additional two young assets in exchange for a point guard who is the perfect fit for the Suns’ young core. This gives Phoenix a presumed starting lineup of Fox, Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender, and Ayton. That’s the kind of future that you can build around for the next decade.  It’s a lot to give up, but that’s the price of having a well-rounded starting-five that can compete for a championship – possibly sooner rather than later.

If the Kings go crazy and grab Ayton instead, no big deal. You just flip the second overall to Atlanta or Memphis for whoever will pay more and you add more assets and snag Marvin Bagley or Jaren Jackson in the process.

This combination of moves both helps the Suns now and in the long run. Adding Fox makes Phoenix a beter team now. Their backcourt is solidified, and you still have Brandon Knight to either serve as the backup point guard while he proves he’s healthy, or you flip him right away.

Plus, some have tabbed both Bagley and Jackson as the possible best player in the draft when all is said and done, so even if neither of them make the most dramatic difference in the 2018-19 season, they will soon enough, and as whoever the Suns takes hit’s their prime, it’ll be right on time to compete for a championship.

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