4. Phoenix Suns
Between Eric Bledsoe in the backcourt, P.J. Tucker on the wing and Tyson Chandler down low, the Phoenix Suns now have a terrific defender in each phase of the team’s defense, and Boozer doesn’t really fit in with that. But Markieff Morris is currently pissed off about the Suns trading away his brother Marcus Morris and has publicly demanded a trade.
The J-Notes
On the one hand, general manager Ryan McDonough would be foolish to trade Keef now while his value is at an all-time low. But on the other hand, if Morris presents a threat to the team’s chemistry and McDonough is able to sniff out a respectable trade, he might pull the trigger.
In that scenario, the Suns would look to Mirza Teletovic and Jon Leuer at the power forward position. For a team trying to end a five-year playoff drought, a little depth and scoring off the bench — no offense, but Jon Leuer probably isn’t the solution — would be a huge boost.
As of right now, the Suns only have 13 players on guaranteed contracts for the 2015-16 season. Cory Jefferson and Henry Sims will be attending training camp, but if Phoenix chooses to trade Markieff Morris and doesn’t get a starting-caliber power forward in return, Boozer on a minimum contract wouldn’t be a terrible insurance policy.
Next: No. 3