Phoenix Suns mailbag: spreading our wings

LAS VEAGS, NV - JULY 9: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEAGS, NV - JULY 9: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns goes to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 26: TJ Warren #12 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 26: TJ Warren #12 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Will there be another trade, possibly shipping a wing for a power forward?

Unlike many Suns fans, I don’t see another trade as all that likely. At least not a big one. There are just so many other ways to shape up the roster.

Guys can still be picked up in free agency, and even more players will be available once teams make final cuts after training camp.

As for swapping a wing for a power forward, I don’t think it’s all that likely. Mostly because guys from the two positions are competing for each others’ minutes. The reason Chriss and Bender will struggle to see the floor is the wing depth. Swapping a wing for a four doesn’t make things any less cluttered.

It’s also an issue because of timing. The wing most likely to be traded seems to be T.J. Warren, and it’s definitely possible to get some value for him, maybe even a mid first round pick at the deadline. But not now.

There are plenty of teams during the season who could decide they could use a solid bench scorer. There are less teams worried about periphery pieces before the season begins. Every team is new, so they don’t know for certain what they need. And a player who can’t shoot or defend doesn’t exactly scream “perfect fit anywhere.”

Warren’s locked up for a long time, so teams should have no second thoughts about getting him midseason as opposed to right now. For all of these reasons, Warren’s value will likely go up as the year goes on.

The only way Warren should be traded for less than what the Suns perceive his value to be is if they know he won’t have a spot in the rotation. In that case, his stock would only go down, and it would make sense to get anything for him now.

But Warren should be getting minutes, and the Suns should look for other avenues to round out the team.