The Phoenix Suns have the assets to make a big trade. If Kristaps Porzingis becomes available this season, the Suns should do whatever it takes to get him.
The Suns have established two major pillars so far this offseason. They drafted Deandre Ayton first overall, and they locked down Devin Booker long-term on a max contract. And while there are certainly other quality pieces in place, there are no other players on the roster as heavily invested in as these two.
After that, though, no one should be untouchable. Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, and future draft picks are all valuable in trades, and the Suns might be able to put together a package good enough for a young stud. Their primary target should be Kristaps Porzingis.
This move is about team building. It’s about transitioning to winning. It’s about acquiring star talent. Kristaps Porzingis is an injury risk, and he’ll probably never be a top five player in the league. But he projects as a perennial All-Star who fills a position of need. Oh, and he’s only 22.
Porzingis can hit the three. He can score in a variety of ways. He holds his own as a perimeter defender. And he protects the rim as well as anyone in the league. He would be the perfect fit for the Suns at the four.
So why would the Knicks be willing to trade him? Well, he’s in the final year of his deal, but that’s far less significant since he’ll be a restricted free agent. The biggest reason is that he missed much of last season with an ACL injury, and he’s set to miss most of this season as well.
He’s also been reportedly unhappy with the organization for quite a while. Put simply, he’s a risk. And the Knicks, one of the most dysfunctional organizations in the league, might incorrectly decide Porzingis isn’t worth that risk. If they do, the Suns can put together as good of a package as any team.
A hypothetical deal including Jackson, Bridges, T.J. Warren, and picks would clear enough cap space for the Suns to be able to pursue a max free agent even after extending Porzingis. And the addition of Porzingis would make the team good enough and exciting enough to have a chance of luring a top free agent. Maybe even someone like Kyrie Irving.
Irving might not leave Boston, but there’s a chance he does. And if that happens, the Suns would be a great spot for him to land. A core of Irving, Booker, Porzingis, and Ayton would be good enough to make the playoffs now and young enough to still be good after the Warriors break up.
Sure, the Knicks probably won’t (and definitely shouldn’t) part with Porzingis. And Irving probably doesn’t have Phoenix on his short list of destinations next summer. But things change.
Maybe the Suns aren’t good enough right now. But who pinned the Sixers to win 52 games last year? And maybe there aren’t a lot of free agents and disgruntled All-Stars for the Suns to pursue. But who could’ve predicted last year that Kawhi Leonard would end up on the Raptors? Even if it’s not these players, the Suns can do the same thing with other players around the league.
Next: In the event of an expansion today, who should Phoenix keep?
Maybe it’s not Porzingis. But if it is, the Phoenix Suns should pounce. Whoever it may be, the Suns have the assets and cap space to take advantage, and they shouldn’t be afraid to pull the trigger.