Phoenix Suns: 3 Trades We Want to See Before 2021-22 Season Starts

While the Phoenix Suns begin their training camp this week, grinding things out in the gym to forge a solidified unit, James Jones continues his own work from upstairs, taking calls and pulling strings to try and improve the team his own way.

Last year, Phoenix fell two games short from achieving their ultimate goal, and even though they made some notable adjustments to their roster via free agency and the trade market, a few more might be on the way.

As it stands now, the Suns own an impressive roster, surely able to compete for a title this coming season. However, they might need one or two more players to push them over the top. But with free agency having sung its swan song, Phoenix can only explore trade offers at this point.

With exception to Ben Simmons, who the Suns need to stay far away from, several other names around the league continue to draw interest as trade pieces. Many strike as compatible pieces to Phoenix’s already established core, to which Jones would be wise to inquire about.

Of course, doing so puts the Suns into a position where they potentially need to exile a few players or draft picks. Nobody wants to break up this group working to build chemistry as we speak. But at the same time, Phoenix still owns an incredibly deep and youthful roster, so parting ways with a few pieces to try and “win now” feels well worth the sacrifice.

While acknowledging this, we cannot help but hope the Suns make one of these three trades before things really get rolling.

Phoenix Suns Preseason Trades: Jalen Smith and Dario Saric for Thaddeus Young

A few months ago, reports surfaced detailing Phoenix’s interest in Thaddeus Young, who currently resides with the San Antonio Spurs as a byproduct from the DeMar DeRozan deal.

As an aging veteran stuck on a rebuilding team, it makes zero sense for Young to stay with the Spurs, making his eventual departure via a trade all too certain. At the same time, Phoenix’s need for more depth along the block makes The Valley an ideal spot for him to land.

Luckily, the Suns own two solid, younger assets valuable to any team starting from scratch: Jalen Smith and Dario Saric.

Two years ago, Phoenix selected Smith with the 10th overall pick, but ended up barely playing him. He dressed for only 27 games, likely taking a slower approach to his development than desired.

However, Smith still resembles a solid “low floor, high ceiling” player still attached to his rookie deal. He remains only 21 years old, with a seven-foot-two wingspan, as well as a decent 3-point shot to stretch the floor as a modern big.

Also as an NBA Summer League participant this past year, Smith reintroduced the world to his unique skillset that originally made him a lottery pick. He earned All-Summer League First Team honors, lead the entire tournament with 12.5 rebounds per game, and averaged 2.5 triples per game.

Smith resembles the perfect product for Gregg Popovich to workshop, making him an ideal fit with San Antonio.

Dario Saric and his torn ACL makes him a slightly less attractive trade piece, but he still carries notable value. He averaged double digit points every year but his most recent one, and at only 27 years old, his best days likely still lie ahead. Also with the Spurs expected to miss the playoffs next year, him missing the season to heal up will not carry much weight.

Phoenix Suns Preseason Trades: Jalen Smith, Dario Saric, and a 2022 Second Round Pick (Top 20 Protected) for Marvin Bagley

Even though Marvin Bagley averaged 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds last year, the Sacramento Kings seem fixated on moving him. The Kings tried to send him packing several different times last year, so watch for them to do so again leading up to this season.

Bagley might feel like a disappointment when comparing his production to all the hype he carried into the draft, but he still remains a solid player and potential bruiser for the Suns off the bench.

Phoenix’s most glaring need right now is depth at the power forward spot, hence why Young remains their number one trade target. But Bagley plays that position too, and still carries the athletic traits to do so effectively.

With one more year on his contract, the Suns likely let Bagley walk after the season due to their already inflated cap, but playing for a championship caliber team and for a new contract at the same time might reinvigorate him—only making the trade that much better for Phoenix.

Also like the Spurs, the Kings embody a team unlikely to challenge for a playoff spot right now, which makes Saric and Smith solid finds for them to take on and develop. Like the deal that split up the Philadelphia 76ers and Nerlens Noel, who was another decent power forward just taken a few picks too high, this trade gives both sides something they want.

Phoenix Suns Preseason Trade: Dario Saric and Chandler Hutchinson for Terrence Ross

As another popular mock trade floating around online, the Suns and veteran shooting guard Terrence Ross come together as a tailor-made fit. Like Young, he finds himself as an aging player, handcuffed to a team looking only toward the future—which makes him a probable trade piece at this time.

Last season, Ross operated under an expanded role for the struggling Orlando Magic. He played a career high 29.3 minutes per game, and consequently averaged a career high 15.6 points per game.

But also last season, the Suns lacked a real backup behind Devin Booker at the shooting guard position, with no other pure two guards on the team. Adding Landry Shamet helped fill that gap, but securing a veteran presence like Ross does so to an even greater extent.

Unlike Shamet, Ross resembles a solid defender, both with experience and the right tools to bother opposing teams. He essentially completes the position for the Suns, naturally making the team more adept across upcoming 82 game stretch.

At the same time, the Magic have their eyes set purely on the future. Saric applies to that, and his Chandler Hutchinson comes alongside as a secondary piece to even out the salaries.