Former Suns signing for Lakers & Celtics after trade deadline

The NBA's trade deadline has passed, and the Phoenix Suns mostly stood pat ahead of what they hope can be a run that ends in the playoffs. In reality their goals should be a lot bigger than that - but such is the way this season has unfolded - that they are no closer to winning what would be a first ever championship for the franchise.

Kevin Durant has also remained in The Valley, having seen his name brought up late in the day as a potential trade candidate. The rumors were that he didn't fancy a return to the Golden State Warriors - despite the fact they were reportedly very interested in making it happen - and it is not hard to see why. Jimmy Butler ending up in San Francisco instead.

A pair of former Suns are now on the move to help their rivals.

First up is point guard Jordan Goodwin, who you might remember came to Phoenix with Bradley Beal when the Suns traded for him. Goodwin's stay with the organization wasn't particularly memorable, although it also came at a time when the team were trying to make both Beal and Devin Booker co-point guards.

That experiment didn't work, which is why the additions of Tyus Jones and Monte Morris for this season have been so helpful. Both have their faults - particularly for Jones defensively as a result of his height - but he starts and sets the table for his teammates. Had Goodwin been given that sort of opportunity under previous head coach Frank Vogel, who knows what could have happened.

Instead he spent some time both with the Memphis Grizzlies - were he popped a little while starting 12-of-17 games played for that franchise last season - before heading to the G League throughout this campaign so far. That is about to change though, as none other than the Los Angeles Lakers have signed him to a two-way deal.

This means Goodwin will still spend some time in the G League, but it is interesting to note that a rival in the Lakers who just added Luka Doncic and even Mark Williams - a center the Suns would have surely loved - felt the need to bring him into the fold on a two-way deal. Goodwin is a solid floor general with really good size for the position, and he will get chances.

Next up is Torrey Craig, who has had two previous stints in Phoenix. Most recently with the Chicago Bulls, the 34-year-old signed a deal to play with the Boston Celtics after the trade deadline. There are shades of the Thaddeus Young deal the Suns themselves did around this time last season, taking him from the buyout market as a veteran to put on the end of their bench.

That didn't work out at all though, and Young hasn't been seen since. The hope for the Celtics is that Craig has a little bit more in his legs to be a defensive presence for small bursts, which should allow their starting five to continue scorching opponents from beyond the 3-point arc. By that logic though, Craig would have been a nice addition back in The Valley once more.

Signing him outright would have been difficult given they're in the second apron, but he was obviously available by the Bulls prior to landing in Boston. He's familiar with the organization and could have been both a veteran voice amidst this turbulent season and link to happier times of the past to bring on board. Both these guys could help their new teams, and make the Suns look bad.