Much like a Christopher Nolan movie, the 2022 NBA trade deadline started with a bang, mellowed out for a bit, and then closed with a mind-blowing third act. The Phoenix Suns came along for the ride, and although they did not pull off any earth-shattering moves, they still did partake in the full feature film that was this afternoon.
Starting things off, the Suns finally moved one player everyone has included in their mock trades since September—former lottery pick Jalen Smith.
In agreeing to a deal with the Indiana Pacers, arguably the most active team at the deadline this year, Phoenix exchanged their stretch big and a future second round pick for forward Torrey Craig. Yes, that’s the same Torrey Craig which Phoenix traded for at the deadline last year, coming to terms on a cash deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Shortly after that, the Suns also sent off their injury exception money granted on behalf of Dario Saric for Aaron Holiday, who until that moment had played for the Washington Wizards. The Wiz Kids also proved active at the deadline, dealing away Spencer Dinwiddie and Montrezl Harrell on separate trades, while eventually acquiring Kristaps Porzingis.
Around the league, the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets finally reached an agreement on a Ben Simmons and James Harden deal. Serge Ibaka also found his way to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Dennis Schröder will head south to link up with the Houston Rockets.
Without question, the last few hours provided tons of entertainment for all NBA fans. But in concentrating solely on the Suns, and with the dust now settled from all the Woj bombs, grades for their two trade deadline transactions go as follows.
Phoenix Suns trade deadline grade for Torrey Craig
Almost from the get-go, everyone saw the Suns not picking up their team option on Jalen Smith’s rookie deal as a mistake.
Whether as a trade or rotation piece, that decision hurt Smith’s value, as it set him up to become a free agent this summer. That meant, and still means now, that whoever acquires him would have to do so with no guarantee that he will come back to the team this offseason.
However, James Jones turned that mistake around almost in full, and it only cost him a second rounder.
The fact that Phoenix got back a guy we already know resembles a good fit with this team and finds himself attached to a two-year, $10 million dollar deal—it makes Jones look like a wizard. With his magic wand, he more or less turned an awkward situation with Smith into one with security and in support of team chemistry.
We all know how well Craig contributed off the bench last year, and the Suns do not need to worry about him leaving unlike with Smith. Primarily due to the longevity of his contract, the trade for Craig this year even looks better than the one they pulled off last year—which was a steal to begin with.
Craig also averaged a modest 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game with the Pacers this year. But with him running beside a far more lethal Suns roster, he should return to the guy who averaged 7.2 points per game in the regular season and shot 40.5 percent from three in the playoffs.
The second round pick which Phoenix sacrificed will surely not be missed. The Suns currently find themselves with the league’s best record, and with a young team, you expect them to remain contenders for years to come.
With that understood, said second round pick will dwell toward the entire draft’s back end, rendering it about as useless as draft picks can be.
Grade: A+
Phoenix Suns trade deadline grade for Aaron Holiday
When Suns fans heard of their initial trade with the Indiana Pacers, they likely hoped it would include Aaron Holiday’s brother Justin, who earlier this month hit seven triples against Phoenix en route to an impressive 25-point outing.
But alas, Phoenix will now take on Aaron, who averaged 6.1 points and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field for Washington this year.
Those numbers might not jump out at you, but the Suns will not ask Holiday to do much given their wide range team depth. If anything, he strikes like a solid candidate to come off the bench and provide a few relief minutes for Devin Booker each night, especially during games where Landry Shamet cannot find his stroke. He may also back up Chris Paul at the point depending on Cameron Payne’s injury.
But regardless, Phoenix only gave up some cash for Holiday, similar to their deal for Craig last year. With this team clearly going all-in to win a title, they need to unload all their assets to fill out their roster as best they can, so trading away that money for immediate production remains the right call.
Holiday’s expiring contract and the fact that Phoenix will now need to cut someone to make space for him represent the only things which drop this deal’s grade slightly below the one prior. But from a general standpoint, the Suns still did well at the 2022 trade deadline. Once again, James Jones deserves a tip of the cap.
Grade: B+