Who might be available if the Phoenix Suns go star shopping?
By Kyle Manthe
The Fast Riser
While it is easy to predict which names that are already stars are going to be moved, it is harder to decide who is going to quickly become a star that might just as quickly leave that place.
If the Phoenix Suns make a trade for a third star, that player might be seen as securely with their current team right now, or may not even yet be considered a star.
We just saw this last season with Tobias Harris, who took a big leap forward to start the season with the LA Clippers and yet by February was traded to the 76ers and has now signed a $180 million dollar contract.
Phoenix Suns
Coming into the season, many people liked Harris but did not view him as a star. After he took a leap forward to a near All-Star level to the point that the 76ers paid an extremely high price to retain his servicwes and made him a top-four player on a championship contender.
One player who had a breakout season last year and won most improved player was Pascal Siakam.
He is likely going to be the key piece of the Raptors’ rebuild. However, if GM Masai Ujiri decides to do a complete and total rebuild, wanting to take a few years to actually win again, Siakam could be moved in the next two years.
When looking at players who could become star-level to be traded for soon, Pascal Siakam’s ascension last season is a perfect example.
Some other players who, projecting forward, might fall into this category, would include Caris LeVert.
LeVert came on strong at the start of last season but was overshadowed by D’Angelo Russell after his injury and is up for an extension after this season.
With Irving and Durant already on board LeVert’s role could be in flux.
Other even less likely candidates would include Dejounte Murray, although good luck getting him out of San Antonio; Justice Winslow, if he makes another leap this season and Miami is hunting for another star; and Gary Harris, if he improves but is used to make way for a superstar.
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The chance that any of these players end up on the Phoenix Suns as a third “star” are slim to none.
However there is a fair chance that the player that ends up becoming the third star for the Suns is in the league already but has not quite broken out yet. The key is getting that player on their rise, knowing that their value will continue to grow and that is how you finish the big three.