One Missed, One Opened Opportunity for Suns by Trade Deadline Frenzy

The Phoenix Suns can no longer trade for Domantas Sabonis

You guessed it. Now that Domantas Sabonis has been dealt elsewhere Phoenix cannot acquire him neither this week nor in the future.

Only a few hours before the Pacers sent their prized stretch big away, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer mentioned that the Suns were still monitoring the Sabonis situation despite being more likely to sit tight at the deadline.

However, Fischer also brought up the fact that even if the two sides did not agree on a deal for Sabonis now, they might do so later down the line, referencing a hypothetical sign-and-trade deal involving Deandre Ayton should he fail to reach a long-term agreement with the Suns.

But as a result of today’s events, adding Sabonis immediately or even in a few months from now at the expense of Ayton are scenarios which can be thrown out of the window. The Suns clearly cannot trade for Sabonis now, and it would make little sense for the Kings to try and trade Sabonis this summer after already giving up so much for him, even if Ayton became up for grabs.

This more than anything puts additional pressure on the Phoenix front office to ink a deal with Ayton this summer, with what may have been a solid backup option in Sabonis now off the table.