Patience this summer is key to future Suns championships

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TORONTO, ON – December 05: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns defends during the first half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on December 5, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Don’t trade for an aging All-Star

With assets accumulating and not enough minutes to go around, it can definitely be tempting to go get a veteran player to help the team now. With All-Stars like Kemba Walker, Kyle Lowry, and DeMar DeRozan rumored to be on the trade block, the Suns will probably do their due diligence on what these players would cost.

For a team like the Raptors looking to start their rebuild, the 16th pick and a raw prospect like Marquese Chriss or Dragan Bender would certainly be enticing. If the Suns wanted, they could definitely put together a package for a declining star that wouldn’t damage their core.

But they absolutely should not make a deal.

For starters, there’s no benefit to bringing in an aging player. While the team would improve short-term, a player in his late 20s or early 30s won’t be useful anymore by the time the team is ready to compete for championships. Why teach Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton to mesh with a guy who’s only around for a few years?

Instead, the team should look to bring in veteran role players that can make things easier as the young core develops. This way, Booker, Ayton, and Josh Jackson will still be the highest usage players on the team, and the only roles not filled long-term will be those which are much easier to replace. It’s less difficult to bring in another three point specialist than to replace a star player the young guys are accustomed to playing with.

The 16th pick doesn’t have to be untouchable, but using it to bring in a declining star would be an impatient way for the Phoenix Suns to cut corners and speed up the rebuild.

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