Phoenix Suns: 3 Trade Options Still Involving Jalen Smith

Phoenix Suns Potential Trade: Jalen Smith to the Indiana Pacers for Torrey Craig

Anyone down for a reunion? Last year, Torrey Craig came to the Suns via a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks for almost nothing. But upon his arrival, he made an immediate impact with the team, hitting from range at a 36.9 percent rate and playing astute defense both down low and along the wing.

His hard-nosed play eventually earned him a two-year, $4 million contract with the Indiana Pacers. Right now though, the Pacers look a bit lost, starting out with a 3-6 record and dwelling toward the Eastern Conference’s basement.

With each passing day, it grows more and more likely that the Pacers will aim to blow up their team and begin a rebuild, making a veteran like Craig a primary piece to send packing.

With the Suns still somewhat loose at the small forward/power forward area, Craig can rejoin this team and bring over the same impact as before. Especially with Abdel Nader struggling as the team’s backup to Mikal Bridges, the move makes all too much sense to pass up.

On Indiana’s side, integrating a rebuilding strategy means reeling in younger players, and Smith fits that bill. They can allow him to play out this year and then decide if they want to re-sign him. If they do, great. But if not, they still found away to ditch an aging player’s contract.

The Suns will need to wait until mid-December for Craig to become eligible for a trade, but he still feels worth the wait.