NBA Rumors: Phoenix Suns To Trade Gerald Green?
By Marcus Bass
Phoenix Suns swingman Gerald Green can’t catch a break in the NBA. He’s fresh off the best season in his career and now he’s the center of trade rumors in Phoenix.
According to Sports Illustrated writer Rob Mahoney, Green could be the odd man out in the Suns locker room and subsequently on the move.
"Green makes the most sensible trade chip. His flair for offense is both an attractive selling point on the market and a point of some redundancy now that Phoenix has acquired Thomas. His reasonable, expiring salary makes Green a low-risk get for a team looking to shore up its bench."
Known more for his insane athleticism and ability to make the highlight reel every time he’s on the floor, last season was the best of Green’s professional career. He logged the most minutes in his career for the Suns (28 per game) and averaged a career-high 15.8 points, while shooting 40 percent from 3.
For every reason there is to suggest Green should be moved, there’s an equal reason as to why the Suns should (and most likely will) keep him around. Green’s contract is good trade bait, but it’s not a cap killer for the Suns either. Green is making $3.5 million this season and will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
He’s going to make more than $3.5 million a year on his next contract, so if a team does trade for him it’s a move that’ll only gain $3.5 million in cap space.
That’s good relief for teams that are a few million over the tax apron, as it allows for the ability to sign players to minimum contracts. However as the season has already commenced, what can $3.5 million buy your squad?
And what kind of asset would Phoenix want in return that will (a) make up for Green’s scoring production and (b) has parallel talent on a similar-sized contract?
This all adds up to Green finishing the season in a Suns uniform. There’s no logical reason to trade him, and although the Suns have considerable talent at the guard position with Eric Bledsoe, Zoran Dragic, Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas, Green is capable of playing both small guard and small forward positions.
At 6’8″ he’s a greater offensive threat at the 3 spot than P.J. Tucker and regardless as to how badly head coach Jeff Hornacek wants to groom Marcus Morris for the small forward position, I don’t see him driving the ball past small forwards in the league any time soon.
This one’s not happening, folks.