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) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 11: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a play against the Phoenix Suns during the preseason game on October 11, 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 11: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a play against the Phoenix Suns during the preseason game on October 11, 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) /

Why the Phoenix Suns would do it

The answer to this is simple: they get a superstar to pair up with Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton potentially giving them the three necessary stars to compete with the championship contenders of the league, with a roster still young enough to keep that window open for at least five years – if not longer.

While it would be difficult to lose Josh Jackson, a young, up-and-coming star small forward, Phoenix would still have both Trevor Ariza to fill the hole at small forward this season, as well as Mikal Bridges over the next few years.

The Suns would also have one of the best shooting backcourts in the entire NBA (Devin Booker shot 38.3% from beyond the arc last season while Lillard drained 36.1%), and a balanced offense with Ayton’s ability to hold down the fort in the post while the guards and the rest of the roster shoot over top.

Offensively, this team would be unstoppable and if they wouldn’t compete immediately with the Golden State Warriors, they would easily jump into the top of the Western Conference playoff conversation, with the ability to join the best team’s in the league’s stratosphere soon enough.

In two seasons not only would the Suns be able to re-sign Lillard to a max contract, but they too would still have Ayton and Bridges under rookie contracts allowing General Manager Ryan McDonough the chance to add a few veteran pieces through free agency to give his core the role players needed to pull themselves over the top.

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