NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Should Trade For Joe Johnson
2. Phoenix Suns
Without a draft pick and/or Rondae-Hollis-Jefferson/Chris McCullough included, this deal would be a dumpster fire for the Phoenix Suns. Tyson Chandler hasn’t lived up to his four-year, $52 million contract, and Markieff Morris has moved to the edge of the rotation in another unhappy season, but a Joe Johnson salary dump isn’t exactly putting their trade value to proper use.
However, if the Suns decide Alex Len has learned enough from his time as Chandler’s pupil and is ready to start again, and if the Nets are interested in taking on a perceived head case like Keef, this is one deal that would net Phoenix the kind of assets it’s always tried to accumulate under general manager Ryan McDonough.
There’d also be the unintended, entertaining consequence of uniting a fan base with a player who didn’t exactly leave on the best of terms:
That previous trade is bad but the hilarity of Joe Johnson -a guy that is STILL booed every time he plays in PHX - returning may be worth it
— Scott Howard (@ScottHoward42) January 11, 2016
Averaging 5.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, the 32-year-old Chandler has had some problems staying healthy, already missing eight games with a hamstring injury.
Keef has been benched for Jon Leuer and Mirza Teletovic, all while inciting the scrutiny of the fans and an uncomfortable relationship with the front office after his recent towel-throwing incident reminded everyone this was the same guy who demanded a trade out of Phoenix after his brother Marcus Morris was dealt to Detroit over the summer.
With Eric Bledsoe sidelined and the Suns sitting at 13-27, Phoenix’s playoff aspirations have morphed into dreams of a top-five pick. It might be time to blow up the frontcourt and focus on acquiring a young talent like RHJ (or McCullough) in addition to a future draft pick.
As for the Nets, this is a best-case scenario that might also be somewhat realistic. They’d have to give up a talented youngster in the process, but they’d be getting back a talented power forward in Keef who’s on a bargain of a contract and would be motivated by a fresh start.
As for Chandler, he’s still capable of playing well; it just hasn’t happened in Phoenix, where he’s been splitting time with the younger Alex Len. If the Nets plan on blowing it up and trading Brook Lopez and/or Thaddeus Young to start stockpiling assets, a trade like this would provide them with serviceable replacements on longer contracts to fill the gap between the gloomy present and a brighter future.