Valley of the Suns
Fansided

The Phoenix Suns might now be one player away

By Adam Maynes

DALLAS - MARCH 22: Steve Nash #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives around Joe Johnson #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the game at American Airlines Center on March 22, 2003 in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks won 102-95. 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 2003 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images)
DALLAS - MARCH 22: Steve Nash #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives around Joe Johnson #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the game at American Airlines Center on March 22, 2003 in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks won 102-95. 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 2003 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEAGS, NV – JULY 9: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns boxes out against Mohamed Bamba #5 of 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: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns boxes out against Mohamed Bamba #5 of 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) /

Entering the 2018-19 season, the core four of Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Josh Jackson and T.J. Warren are similarly balanced, specifically with the central pieces of Booker and Ayton providing tremendous talent both as inside and outside presences.

The current Phoenix Suns team too has several integral veteran pieces that in some ways duplicate what the 2003-04 team has as well.

In the early 2000’s, the key players on the roster centered around both point guards Jason Kidd and Stephon Marbury. Joined with each player was Penny Hardaway and Tom Gugliotta.

While Kidd and Steph were both still young and productive, issues caused both’s eventual trades (obviously Kidd for Marbury then Marbury with Penny for cap space).

That said, by 2003-04, Penny and Googs were generally unproductive at this juncture in their careers, although while still paid a ton of money, they needed to be moved to allow the young core the opportunity to grow and the chance for the franchise to move forward through either trade or free agency that coming summer.

As the 2018-19 roster has taken shape and evolved this offseason, Jared Dudley has already been traded, Tyson Chandler might be as well this summer (although more likely during the season if the roster is totally out of the playoff rush).

Trevor Ariza is with the team only on a one-year deal, destined to be allowed to walk in 2019, but giving Booker, Ayton, Jackson, and Warren a solid power forward to help keep the team competitive, rather than relying on either Marqese Chriss or Dragan Bender who are too as potentially likely to be traded sometime in the next seven months.

What to do though with the potential salary cap space?

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