The Phoenix Suns are losing a lot of games and Booker still needs help. Could help be available via trade with the deadline just hours away?
Devin Booker finally got solid help in this year’s draft via the number one pick in Deandre Ayton. However, Ayton needs a point guard at this stage to be really effective and Booker still needs elite talent and serious help to turn this almost sunk ship back to the surface. This season is all but over but the future remains bright and with the right piece(s) any thing can happen, including the Phoenix Suns making the playoffs next season.
The Detroit Pistons are fighting for a playoff spot right now to finish 2018-19 with a post season run. However, they are on the outside looking in at the moment, as they are just below the top eight teams in the Eastern conference.
Phoenix Suns
Their top two players are Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin. That is a very solid front court as one was chosen as an All-Star and one is considered a top snub. However, they’re also where the majority of the team’s cap space is stuck ($57 million combined this year). This is a very big reason why the team is not able to get upgrades at other positions and round out the team.
The Suns could help them with this issue, offering a trade package that would look like the following.
This move saves the Pistons about $7 million in cap space relief instantly as well as giving them three expiring contracts in Troy Daniels, Dragan Bender and Wayne Ellington. After that trio comes off the books this summer, that’s another $14 million in cap relief. $21 million is a lot of savings.
They also get a clear upgrade at their starting small forward position in T.J. Warren, who is on a very reasonable contract (about $12 million per year) and they have been rumored to have shown interest in him before. The trade would also give Detroit a first and second round draft pick. This helps set them up for their future as well.
In the East, the Pistons still have a legitimate shot at the playoffs after this trade, if a few things go right. Thon Maker (recently acquired for Stanley Johnson) can prove to be a good fit next to Drummond and show his potential. Warren can build off of this year’s improvement and feast on having a chance at being the leading scorer. Also, in the summer, if the team drafts well and signs some decent free agents, they will be in prime position to be in the playoffs next year.
For the Suns, Devin needs help and even though this is a huge gamble for a player on a large contract that has had injuries in the past, it’s well worth the risk. Not only does it bring in a six-time All-Star, it shows Booker that the team is indeed trying to build a winner around him.
Blake, again, is about to suit up for his sixth All-Star appearance. He’s still a high flier and this has been one of the best seasons in his career so far. He’s only 29-years-old and in the right system with the right trainers (the Suns have been touted in that category), he could have several more stellar years ahead of him.
Phoenix needs to add another big name, for the fans and for their franchise player. It would show that they really are trying. This move would also help Ayton as Griffin could teach him many things, from shooting threes and throwing down hammer dunks to playing with intensity and learning what it takes to win.
With Booker, a more experienced Ayton and Griffin next year, multiple two way wings and finally landing that point guard that’s so desperately needed, the Suns could be a lot better one year from now and if healthy, may even fight for a playoff spot.
This move would be a win in so many ways and the front office needs to see if they can make it happen. James Jones needs to make that call, explain how much they would able to help the Pistons and see if he can make Blake a Sun.