2 Trades for the Phoenix Suns to Land All-Star Domantas Sabonis

A Western Conference Finals rematch against the Los Angeles Clippers represents a juicy entree for the Phoenix Suns to chow down on tonight. But with an exciting week regarding trade availability also on the horizon, one cannot help but look ahead at what, or who, might be next on the team’s menu.

This morning, Shams Charania of The Athletic published a story mulling over several different teams and how they might approach the December 15th date, which opens the door for teams to trade their players signed as recently as this past offseason.

Charania’s story mainly revolved around Kyrie Irving and his potential return to the Brooklyn Nets, but it also dealt with several other squads looking to add or subtract players sooner rather than later. This included the Indiana Pacers, who Charania also noted might blow up their entire roster last week.

But today, the report mentioned the Suns as a team that has “shown interest in recent years” with regard to Indiana forward Domantas Sabonis. Although this comment tying the Suns to Sabonis reads somewhat vaguely and fails to describe any current pursuits made by the team, Charania still included it for a reason.

As a versatile big, Sabonis represents the exact player Phoenix needs to take their team to the next level. Granted, the Suns nearly sit on a level of their own, tied for the league’s best record at 21-4. But regardless, a long regular season still stands between them and their ultimate goal. The great teams always look for ways to improve themselves even while at the top, and the Suns cannot afford to do any less.

Although Jae Crowder adequately fills out the last forward spot for the Suns right now, he remains something of a role player amongst a starting five riddled with All-Star talent—playing the Hawkeye role on this team of Avengers.

But Sabonis sits with two All-Stars under his belt, currently averaging 18.2 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Those numbers nearly double Crowder’s across each statistical category.

The upgrade Sabonis provides is clear as day. However, the way in which the Suns bring him to the desert looks quite foggy. Mentioning this alone feels like ripping off a band-aid, but to acquire Sabonis, the Suns likely need to part ways with some young talent, or draft picks.

Phoenix Suns Trade for Domantas Sabonis: Dumping the Front Court

If the Pacers indeed throw in the towel on this season and begin building strictly toward the future, a budding star like Cameron Johnson helps them do just that. He carries all the skills required to start at the NBA level, currently averaging 14.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per 36 minutes.

This deal does force the Suns into a tough goodbye with Johnson as a fan favorite and key standout from last year. But still, trading him for a star makes sense for the team when you look at the long run.

With Phoenix still needing to deal with Ayton’s extension and other contracts from Bridges and Paul set to kick in soon, extending Johnson past his rookie deal is no guarantee this summer. So rather than potentially letting him walk, the Suns bring over a star here, and create more space to sign Ayton even while taking on Sabonis’s contract.

The Suns also cut ties with Jalen Smith and Dario Saric. Charania’s report this morning also briefly noted Phoenix’s intentions to move Smith. Being a former lottery pick and just 21-years-old, he also makes sense for the Pacers.

Even with his torn ACL, Saric looks fit to wear Indiana threads as well. At 27-years-old, he still remains on the younger side. Once healing up for next year, he can give the Pacers a player to build around and lead others at the same time with his extensive regular season and playoff experience.

But most importantly for the Suns, they hold onto Crowder with this deal. He remains an integral component within their defense and as a floor spacer. Even if the Suns traded for Sabonis, Crowder likely plays significant minutes off the bench. With this trade, they maintain that option.

Phoenix Suns Trade for Domantas Sabonis: The Draft Capital Route

This trade allows the Suns to keep all their main assets, but for those same reasons, also feels less likely for the Pacers to pull the trigger on.

As younger players with solid upsides, Saric and Smith once again bite the dust with this deal. Abdel Nader joins them as well, more so coming to balance things out financially rather than anything else.

Phoenix’s 2024 first round pick works as the real kicker for this transaction though. Assuming the Suns do not fall into the lottery the next two years, their next first round picks go to the Oklahoma City Thunder, requiring them to include their one from the following year instead.

Even with the Suns more likely to enjoy another solid year that season, consequently decreasing that pick’s value, a first round selection nonetheless carries significant weight, especially for a rebuilding team like Indiana.

But for the Suns, this exchange offers them their best chance to compete for a title immediately. They hold onto all their current impactful players, while simultaneously adding another one in Sabonis. Dealing out minutes between him, Crowder, and Johnson might become a tough task for Monty Williams, but carrying an excess of talented players is certainly a good problem to have.

However, this trade also brings more financial hardship to the Suns. By holding onto Johnson while also taking up Sabonis’s contract, they put themselves in an awkward position going forward, where they likely need to choose between Ayton or Johnson.

Theoretically, the Suns could swap several other role players to pair with their future first-rounder here. But to begin negotiations, Saric, Smith, and Nader strike as the most expendable assets to dangle as bait. They also may need to add another future pick, but that all depends on how desperate Indiana is to move Sabonis now.