With the NBA trade deadline approaching on Feb. 8 and rumors circulating around the league, let’s take a look at some potential trades the Phoenix Suns could make.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!First, here’s everything to know about the Suns as the deadline comes closer.
Ever since Mat Ishbia took over as owner of the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 7, 2023, the team has been ultra-aggressive around the trade deadline and in free agency.
Now, with the Suns currently sitting at 20-18 despite having a team that Ishbia himself said on media day is championship caliber, Phoenix could very well likely make another splash on the market.
Due to the limited money and the Suns being $22 million over the luxury tax, it is highly unlikely the Suns can make this big of a move at this season’s trade deadline. As Phoenix is operating over the second luxury tax apron, they can only take in 110% of a salary they are sending out.
The Suns are searching the market for an athletic wing, per @ChrisBHaynes
(h/t @WireHoops ) pic.twitter.com/Pr2FY11Iv6
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 12, 2024
What the Suns Could Trade
There are several athletic wings that could fit what the Phoenix Suns are looking for. However, it will be tough to get one worth a lot of money because of the limited contracts the Suns have.
Outside of the team’s Big 3, who would be assumed to be untouchable, only Jusuf Nurkić, Grayson Allen and Nassir Little are the only players on the roster not on veteran minimum contracts. The Suns received all three of these players in the Deandre Ayton trade on Sept. 27.
Nurkić is under contract until the 2025-26 season on a 4-year, $70 million deal. He is making $16.875 million this 2023-24 season. Nurkić has recently said he wants to be with the Phoenix Suns until his career is over. The Suns are a +52 in only 113 minutes in lineups featuring the Big 3 and Nurkić this season.
“We’re not going to be perfect. I’m not going to be perfect. As long as the intention is to win, I’m cool with it. I’m trying to be Phoenix Suns for the rest of my life. I’m not tripping about one game.”
Jusuf Nurkic on not playing 4th quarter of Suns loss to #Clippers. #Suns pic.twitter.com/Jy1griTD69
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 11, 2024
Even though he is having a breakout year, Allen might be the most desirable piece the Suns have. He is in the last year of a two-year, $18.7 million deal and his cap hit for this year is $8.925 million. Allen is currently averaging 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 49.5% on field goals and 46.2% on three-point attempts in 33 minutes per game. Allen has started all 33 games he has played in and is the clear-cut choice for the team’s fifth starter at this moment.
Little could also be an appealing piece in a trade, given his age, even though he has fallen out of the Suns’ rotation. Little signed a four-year, $28 million contract extension with the Blazers in October of 2022, which kicked in this season. He is making $6.25 million in the 2023-24 season with the figure increasing by $500,000 every year.
Outside of these three players, the Suns also have four trade exceptions: a $6.5 million trade exception (from the Cam Payne trade), a $5 million trade exception (Dario Saric trade), a $1.8 million trade exception (Isaiah Todd trade) and a $1.1 million trade exception (Toumani Camara trade). These trade exceptions can be used to match a salary of an incoming player, but cannot be packaged together. They can be attached to a trade including a player or draft capital.
Phoenix also has a total of five second round picks to feature in trades: a 2024 second-rounder from the San Antonio Spurs (protected 31-54), a 2026 second-rounder (least favorable pick between the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic), a 2028 second-rounder from the Boston Celtics (protected 31-45), a 2028 second-rounder from the Memphis Grizzlies and 2029 second-rounder from the Grizzlies.
The Suns could also package a lot of their veteran minimum players together to make a deal work. Below is their full team multi-year salary cap table (via Spotrac).
With all this being said, here are some potential trades the Suns could make (using Fanspo):
For any of these trades, the Suns could really substitute any of their veteran minimum contract players for whoever is included in these deals.
Bulls: Alex Caruso, Andre Drummond and Torrey Craig
Alex Caruso goes way back with Frank Vogel and is not a lengthy wing or playmaking point guard, but is a perfect defender for what the Suns need. With the Bulls seemingly always involved in trade rumors, Caruso could be moved. The Suns have also had a rebounding problem at timess, so why not try to get one of the best rebounders in NBA history in Andre Drummond? Torrey Craig always seems to go to the Suns at the deadline and is technically an “athletic wing,” so he is always an option for James Jones.
Brooklyn Nets: Royce O’Neal
Royce O’Neal would be a seamless fit with the Suns’ Big 3 and could be a prime candidate for what Phoenix is looking for. The nets have a ton of defensive wings they could look to move at the deadline, as they are not close to the playoff picture right now.
Pacers: T.J. McConnell
The Suns have been rumored to have interest in T.J. McConnell for a long time, and he would be a perfect pass-first, defensive-minded point guard off the bench for them. Indiana already has Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard ahead of McConnell in the rotation, so they could be looking to move on from him. The Pacers are 23-15 and in fourth place in the Eastern Conference currently, so it will be interesting to see what moves, if any, they make at the deadline.
Raptors: Otto Porter Jr. and Jalen McDaniels
With the Raptors ready to move on from Pascal Siakam, they could also move some of their other pieces. The Raptors feature a ton of “athletic wings,” so Otto Porter Jr. and Jalen McDaniels are two options for the Suns to consider.
Philadelphia 76ers: KJ Martin
KJ Martin has only played in double-digit minutes three times since being accquired by the 76ers in the James Harden trade. The 23-year-old forward meets the profile for an athletic wing the Suns are looking for. Phoenix would not have to trade away a player to get him, only picks. If they did pull off this trade and kept the rest of their roster as is, one player would have to be cut.
Golden State Warriors: Andrew Wiggins
With the Warriors in turmoil, here is a trade that is way out there, but probably the biggest splash the Suns could make. They would have to find another center on the buyout market if they get rid of Nurkić and rally have to believe in Wiggins to do this. This is highly unlikely to happen, but just an example of the biggest move the Suns could make.
Let us know what you think of these moves!
What the Phoenix Suns are reportedly looking for in the trade market
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
