3 Trades for Phoenix Suns that Become Available Next Week

While everyone else counts down the days until their favorite winter holiday, the new year, or even Tobey Maguire’s apparent return to the big screen as Spider-Man, Phoenix Suns General Manager James Jones has something else circled on his December calendar.

On December 15th, less than a week from now, all NBA players who signed new contracts this past offseason become eligible for trade. This all too important date essentially opens up the floodgates on the player market until the February 10th deadline.

This will allow the Suns to exchange players such as Abdel Nader, Frank Kaminsky, Elfrid Payton, and JaVale McGee with other teams if they please. This lifted embargo technically makes Chris Paul eligible as well, but it feels beyond wrong to even mention his name as a potential trade piece right now.

At this point, the Suns share the Western Conference’s top spot with the Golden State Warriors. Both teams own 20-4 records, having split the season series thus far. Off to an incredible start, by no means do the Suns need to upgrade their roster via this expanded trade market.

But regardless, striving to improve even while at the top is what separates the great teams, from the ones that hang banners. The Suns looked whole last year right up until the end, but then injuries to Dario Saric and Paul left them a bit shorthanded.

To avoid a similar situation, Phoenix might want to beef things up and add some insurance pieces to their already dynamic roster. These newly available trade options make doing that possible.