Valley of the Suns
Fansided

The Phoenix Suns’ best trade offer for Damian Lillard

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on October 18, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on October 18, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on October 18, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on October 18, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Phoenix Suns have two particularly glaring needs on the roster right now: they need a point guard and a star player to compliment Devin Booker. Both can be found with the perfect trade for Damian Lillard.

The Phoenix Suns need a point guard in the worst way. Sure, they can run he point with players who would be second or third stringers on other teams, and sure, when healthy they can run with Devin Booker (who I have advocated for a number of times), but the necessity to add a bonafied starter as well as another star to the roster is too important to overlook opportunities at trades for stars at the point guard position.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns /

Phoenix Suns

It doesn’t help that the Phoenix Suns’ only star, Devin Booker, had to have late offseason surgery on his hand, the player expected to play point guard for the time being, and who will miss training camp and preseason in their entirety, as well as the start of the season.

It is a prerequisite of championship-competitive teams today to have three star-to-superstar players on the roster, something that at the moment the Suns only boast one of. Should Deandre Ayton prove to be that kind of player, he will make number two. But for those teams that have three or more, Phoenix will still not compete well against.

Adding a second ready-made star player now makes the Suns instantly more competitive, while also giving them a third star built in should Deandre Ayton develop into an equally as dominant player.

Trading for Damian Lillard kills both proverbial birds with one stone: he is both a point guard, filling that need, while also a superstar, giving Phoenix that third piece necessary to eventually become championship contenders.

This post will explain the best possible trade the Phoenix Suns can offer; why both teams would make the exact trade discussed; and why the Suns are the best team in the league to make such a trade.

*Note – This trade was proposed by and given given credit to @Cafe_Botticelli during the September 10, episode of Valley of the Suns Live! which streams weekly on Twitter, Periscope, and YouTube, Monday evenings at 6pm AZ. The trade proposal was discussed at length and vetted by myself and many of the participants during that episode.

Home/Suns News