Suns latest mistake further limits ability to make blockbuster trade

The Phoenix Suns made what many considered an excellent trade ahead of the deadline with the Utah Jazz, turning their remaining first round draft pick in 2031 into three firsts that will all convey before then. Each pick will be the least favorable first in 2025, 2027 and 2029 belonging to a number of different organizations the Jazz have done deals with in the past.

This trade was right in line with what Suns' owner Mat Ishbia has tried to achieve to this point - going as all in to win as humanly possible - despite the best efforts of General Manager James Jones to bring some order to the franchise and its future. In theory it also gives them a better shot at going after Jimmy Butler, or at least unloading center Jusuf Nurkic.

But it was a massive misfire for the long-term vision in Phoenix.

In the aftermath of the deal, there were many who speculated that the pick that Suns had just given up was perhaps the most valuable first rounder currently available to trade. It makes sense - with Kevin Durant 36-years-old and Devin Booker right in his prime - who knows where this team will be in 2031. Ishbia doesn't care at the moment, which makes that pick so appealing.

With zero protections put on it, that could be a high lottery pick that the rebuilding Jazz will be able to add to their collection when the time comes. Their Executive Danny Ainge has a history of making teams he trades with look silly going back to his time with the Boston Celtics, and this deal is no exception.

He's thinking big picture here, while the Suns are trying to improve as much as a second apron team can ahead of the trade deadline. They look like a team ripe to be picked off, and the Jazz appear to believe they have done just that. Their General Manager Justin Zanik effectively said as much in the aftermath of the deal, calling it "the most valuable asset in the league right now".

Another reason that this was a misstep by the Suns is the fact that the pick they just gave up is clearly more valuable on its own than any of the three they added. If you combine all three and manage to turn it into Butler - or indeed another difference-maker down the road - then perhaps this becomes a different conversation.

But with Bradley Beal and his no-trade clause still calling The Valley home, it feels more like these picks could be used to dump both Nurkic and Beal (if he agrees to it). So if the Suns ended up turning one of the best trade assets in the league into nothing more than ditching two of their five starters from the beginning of this season, that would be an absolute disaster.

Which is what this deal might ultimately be remembered for. Had the Suns and their owner had more patience, that 2031 first round pick would only have increased in value as time went on. Instead they gave it up for a package that on the surface and in the moment makes sense if it nets them the talent to get better. That's a pretty big if versus the certainty of that unprotected future pick.