Three trades the Phoenix Suns could pursue with T.J. Warren and Josh Jackson
By Adam Maynes
Houston Rockets
This one is easily the longest long shot of them all, but considering the recent news about the dislike between Chris Paul and James Harden, the fact that Paul has said that he preferred to play with the Rockets’ second unit because there are more sets and less isolation (Harden is the Lord King of Isolation), and Houston’s likely desire to go all in on Mike D’Antoni‘s out-shoot-the-opponent philosophy this season while the Golden State Warriors are down, I offer this bonus trade:
The Suns do not need another center as they have Deandre Ayton, however, to have two means that they have options in the post that other teams do not.
While the NBA has evolved into a guard-driven shooter’s league, maybe there can be a way to counter that in a un-evolutionary kind of way.
For instance, if Monty Williams has Ayton stretch out his game as has been speculated (he shot 10-33 from beyond the arc at the University of Arizona), and can play a little more outside ala DeMarcus Cousins prior to his achilles injury, then where Capela fails in outside shooting, Ayton can make up for it.
At the same time, where Ayton fails defensively, Capela can carry that load.
Capela has developed into a tremendous inside player, however the Rockets are the ultimate outside shooting team.
The addition of Warren (presuming that last season’s shooting spike was no fluke), and the coaching of D’Antoni which might be of benefit to Jackson’s shot, could make Houston the ultimate 3-point shooting, jack-it-up team (as if 45.4 attempts per game last season wasn’t enough).
To counter the loss of Capela, Houston could re-sign Kenneth Faried (who exceeded expectations when acquired mid-season) and could target Kevon Looney as well (who I actually want the Suns to target as a backup).
Again, this is the most outside of outside shot trades (honestly – no pun intended), but if Houston is really that dysfunctional, this season might be their last to make a legitimate run at the title, and going all wing and shooter could be their best bet.