Could a particular superstar unexpectedly become available for the Phoenix Suns this summer?

The Trade Offer

The Oklahoma City Thunder have proven that value can be had in return for a superstar in trade, even when that player demands a trade to a specific team.

Whereas the Phoenix Suns have (at least in recent history) been unable to receive decent value when a player on their roster demands out, the hual(s) that OKC got back from both the Clippers and Rockets for Paul George and Russell Westbrook were great – and should make every Suns fan jealous considering how little Phoenix got back for the likes of Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe.

In this case, James Jones could  offer a compelling trade to the Houston Rockets, especially considering the possibilities of this summer’s first round pick.

The trade becomes much easier to make if Harden waives his trade-kicker (and to be fair, those are generally put in place as a means of giving the player being traded some  leverage in where he could be traded to), and who knows: if he is already demanding a trade or Houston is openly attempting to move him, then a deal to Phoenix (a city he is obviously very familiar with considering he went to Arizona State for college down the road), might entice him to waive that kicker as a means of giving the Suns a sort of “hometown discount” to guarantee the trade goes through.

Obviously Phoenix would not be making this trade if Houston demanded Devin Booker in return, so the objective is to pair the two together, ala Harden and Westbrook.

Phoenix Suns

If it was possible too, retaining Deandre Ayton (as I have done so in this deal) would be ideal as well (which is why I offered three future first round picks, including at least one after Harden could potentially  have left the team by then).

If Ayton continues to grow his game he could still become a force at center (especially on the defensive end) that would play well with this team considering Harden’s historical lack of an ability to hold down the fort at the perimeter.

Further, Ayton appears  to have been slowly adding a 3-point shot which he might unveil with some regularity as soon as next season. With the amount that Harden drives to the rim, having a center that can stretch the floor, opening the lane and keeping additional bigs out of the way will only help in his effort.

Kelly Oubre is obviously Houston’s biggest active-duty prize in return, which isn’t a whole  lot, but paired up with Russell Westbrook (if he survived the summer), would make for a nice duo right away.

Phoenix’s unprotected first round picks too gives the Rockets another young piece to build around. Obviously this coming draft does appear to be fairly weak, but regardless of where the pick lands, Daryl Morey may still be able find that diamond in the rough in every draft that can be built around.

Obviously the potential acquisition of James Harden is (at least at this moment) one in a million, but if ESPN’s Tim Bontemps’ potential shakeup (partially based the sources he cited) has any level of likelihood, then James Jones must  jump at the chance and put together the best possible package to acquire him.

Doing so instantly makes the Phoenix Suns playoff participants, and who knows – maybe even Championship ones as well.