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Phoenix Suns Trade Deadline Preview: Who Will Get Traded And How?

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) reacts to a call made during the game against the Houston Rockets at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) reacts to a call made during the game against the Houston Rockets at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Mirza Teletovic (35) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (11) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

The Throw-Ins: Archie Goodwin, Mirza Teletovic And Jon Leuer

Why The Suns Trade Them:

Mirza Teletovic is leading all bench players in made three-pointers while shooting 40.5 percent from three-point range in a career year, but he’s a free agent this summer and the Suns might cash in on his value while it’s still high, rather than attempt to re-sign him this summer. The same goes for Jon Leuer, who has been banished from Earl Watson‘s rotation after thriving in Jeff Hornacek‘s tenure.

Archie Goodwin has proven his potential value in the absence of Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Ronnie Price, averaging 16.8 points and 4.5 assists per game on .429/.333/.825 shooting splits over his last 11 games. But he could be thrown in as a potential trade sweetener, especially since the backcourt figures to be crowded next year between Bledsoe, Knight, Goodwin, Devin Booker, Sonny Weems and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Potential Obstacles:

The fact that Teletovic and Leuer become unrestricted free agents this summer means they will probably only be included as sweeteners in deals involving title contenders (or teams supremely confident they can get them to re-sign this summer). The fact that they’re impending free agents also depreciates their value, despite the fact that Teletovic would normally be worth a future first-rounder.

Goodwin is only 21 years old and is finally showing signs of promise, so while trading him now would be cashing in on his increased trade value, giving up on a player that young — unless it’s in a deal McDonough really likes — is just bad principle.

Teams That Might Be Interested:

Contenders hoping to compete with the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs this summer might look to add Teletovic’s perimeter touch or Leuer’s versatility. Those contenders could either use their newfound cap space this summer to re-sign them, or let them go and use the cap space elsewhere.

Teams like the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies could really use a boost in three-point percentage, while the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers will be looking to upgrade their bench depth in any way possible.

For Goodwin, teams looking to rebuild with youth or start from scratch may be interested, but to be honest, any team the Suns trade with may put out feelers on the Goodwin situation since he’d be a nice piece to sweeten the pot.

Next: Brandon Knight

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