2. Phoenix Suns send Jae Crowder to the Memphis Grizzlies for Dillon Brooks.
If the Suns are looking for the most like-for-like replacement, then a direct swap for Dillon Brooks could prove the best option. He and Crowder are very similar players – in body shape, hard-nosed defense, and streaky three-point shooting.
Not only that, but Brooks is also on an expiring deal at around the same value ($11.4 million). Carter believes it’s a deal that could make sense for both teams.
"“Brooks might be exactly what the team needs to keep the wing tandem of Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges fresh…An instant contender for the Sixth Man of the Year, Brooks can leave his mark on both sides of the floor for Phoenix while allowing Memphis to formally graduate Ziare Williams into the starting five.”"
The key for the Suns would getting Brooks to buy-in to an ancillary bench role. His major criticism is often holding a superstar mindset without the talent to match. However, channeling that competitive attitude could prove incredibly valuable to the Suns or any championship-contending team.
His tough perimeter defense would allow him to play alongside a variety of the Suns starters, giving him the opportunity to play 25-30 minutes per game as he has across his career. Offensively, Phoenix would ask him to be an open catch-and-shoot threat and off-ball slasher, without all the expansive ball-handling and shot-creation ideas that can often lead to efficiency issues.
This would feel like a fairly win-win deal, which initially makes you wonder if Memphis would be willing to make such a sideways trade.