Phoenix Suns’ front office may rue miss on Boston Celtics guard

Oct 6, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Robert Server (left) talks with general manager James Jones against the Los Angeles Lakers during a preseason game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Robert Server (left) talks with general manager James Jones against the Los Angeles Lakers during a preseason game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Outside the constant speculation around Brooklyn Nets’ superstar Kevin Durant, it’s been a rather quiet offseason for the Phoenix Suns and the NBA landscape in general.

There’s been little in the way of major free agent or trade moves that one would consider shattering to the dynamic of the league. That could be a major positive for a team like the Suns who seem to have adopted the mantra of ‘running it back’.

But one of the more significant moves happened via trade back on the 1st July, with the Suns potentially rueing a missed opportunity at making a play themselves.

James Jones and the Phoenix Suns’ front office may have missed a trick by not making a bigger play at newly acquired Boston Celtics guard Malcolm Brogdon.

Brogdon was traded to the Celtics in exchange for Aaron Nesmith, Daniel Theis, three players they immediately waived (Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts and Juwan Morgan), plus a protected 2023 first-round pick. That’s a fairly minimal return for someone of Brogdon’s calibre, with the 29-year-old having shown the capacity to be an efficient scorer and solid playmaker.

Malcolm Brogdon and Devin Booker (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Malcolm Brogdon and Devin Booker (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The Suns could have theoretically outmatched Boston’s offer with a package of Landry Shamet, Dario Saric and a similar protection on their own 2023 pick. Brogdon would have filled a massive need at the point-guard position, slipping straight into a backup role behind Chris Paul.

If things went effectively, Brogdon could eventually be seen as a successor to Paul in the starting role. He averages 15.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists across his six-year career.

The one negative is his contract, perhaps signifying why Indiana got little in return. He has three years and $67.6 million left on his deal which, while not bad for his on court production, is a concern given his injury issues. Brogdon has played over 60 regular season games just once since his rookie year.

Trading for Brogdon would have also inhibited Phoenix’s future flexibility, almost eliminating them from a Durant move or anyone else on a maximum contract. If that was a genuine reason for not pursuing him, then you couldn’t begrudge the front office. However, there now has to be some onus on them to upgrade the roster in some meaningful way in the next six months.

How much Phoenix enquired on Brogdon, if at all, will likely never be known. But if the Suns point-guard issues rear its head again this season, then he may be seen as a missed opportunity that comes back to bite them.