It seems like a long time ago now, but there was a brief moment when the Phoenix Suns' season ended when they were being linked with a trade for Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets.
That speculation quickly went away with the franchise already employing Dillon Brooks, replaced instead with the disappointing overpay for Miles Bridges.
Suns have Gordon of the future in the form of rookie Koa Peat
It has taken only a couple of Summer League games, but already it is clear the Suns have their own version of Gordon locked up long-term in the form of Koa Peat. The energetic forward a bundle of energy and aggression in the paint in much the same way Gordon has been when at his best.
Peat is over a decade younger than his more illustrious counterpart, but that also means he is considerably cheaper and healthier. We also don't want to read too much into Summer League play, many a player has had a nice showing or two and then vanished into thin air.
But it is clear this Suns roster needs a forward who can bang inside and use his strength to outmuscle bigger opponents, in much the same way Gordon provides that for the Nuggets.
To get that in a player who will have no problem coming off the bench is another plus, as is the fact Phoenix didn't have to give up anything to acquire him.
This is the same front office who were cool with giving away an unprotected first in 2033 for Bridges, so there is no telling what they could have been convinced to give up to bring in Gordon.
The Suns need to continue to prove to Devin Booker that they are interested in winning now. It is why Brooks will likely be extended while both Bridges (whether you want to admit it or not) and Jalen Green are in The Valley to win games now.
The organization is clearly planning for a post-Booker world while doing this, as Peat, Rasheer Fleming, Khaman Maluach and even Oso Ighodaro won't reach their collective peak until the end of this decade.
So with the decision being to either go after a proven veteran now or draft a version of him to help in the future, the Suns opted for the long-term approach. It is already paying off, and it cost them a lot less to make that happen.
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