At this point, we know not how things will play out for the Phoenix Suns during the 2021-22 season. But we do know that the team hopes to once again compete for a championship after coming just two games away from winning its first one a few months ago.
While giving way to this mentality, expect the Suns to pursue roster improvement very aggressively even as the regular season unfolds. If the coaching staff sees a player struggling to fit in or find their grove, then they go onto the trade block. If an opportunity to upgrade the roster by sending over a few pieces presents itself, then they need to pursue it.
Put simply, it is “win now” time for the Suns. Their front office must take up these practices, even if they feel slightly out of character given Phoenix’s prior struggles to field a competitive team.
The offseason’s free agency fire sale kicked off about a month ago, allowing the market to somewhat simmer down over these last few weeks. Although some GMs might try and pull off a few more stunts over during the offseason’s latter portion, the show is over for the most part.
With that considered, most NBA rosters, including Phoenix’s, remain highly unlikely to go altered from now until next year’s offseason. But again with the Suns increased drive to win a championship, nothing feels set in stone.
The trade deadline might invite Phoenix to pack up and ship off a few young players and maybe some draft capital to add another star. Player buyouts always make things interesting as well, which might force the Suns to straight up cut one or two players to make room for newly freed up veterans.
But throughout it all, watch for the Suns to dangle these three players above opposing teams during the 2021-22 season as they prepare make a bid for a championship even stronger than their one from last year.