Phoenix Suns’ 5 best trades: Chris Paul arrives

The No. 5 best trade in Phoenix Suns history was executed in December 1996 when Phoenix acquired Jason Kidd.

They’re giving up Michael Finley?

That was a prime reaction at the time when the Suns decided to pull the trigger on a deal to acquire Jason Kidd.

There was little question that Finley, already a fan favorite, was an ascending star worth using as a foundation piece.

There was no question, however, that Kidd was among the leading point guards in league history.

And it was far from a one-for-one swap. Phoenix, which also received Tony Dumas and Loren Meyer from the Dallas Mavericks,. dealt away Sam Cassell and A.C. Green, as well as Finley.

Looking back, it doesn’t seem like Kidd played five seasons in Phoenix but he did — and made each one count, beginning with the first one (an improvement of 16 victories).

The Suns made the playoffs in every one of Kidd’s seasons in the Valley.

Kidd put up 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 9.7 assists per game while in Phoenix and made three All-Star teams.

A dependable asset, Kidd played more than 38 minutes a night in four of his five seasons.

During his 22 playoff games with the Suns, Kidd averaged 40.9 minutes per game, and 9.9 assists per game with only 3.1 turnovers per game. He also grabbed 5.6 rebounds per game.

A domestic violence incident quickly brought Kidd’s time in the desert to an end following the 2000 playoffs, but that trade remains on the best-ever list in Phoenix.