Golden State Warriors: 5 Potential NBA Trade Deadline Deals
By Ti Windisch
Looking At The Bright Side Of A Sun
I’m not sure if the Phoenix Suns want to deal Alex Len, but this would be a good time for them to do so. Len is on the last year of his rookie deal, and with the emergence of Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender minutes have been hard to find for Len.
He’s playing the least minutes per game he’s averaged since his rookie year, and has started just one game in the last month. Even in spot playing time, Len is still doing a great job protecting the rim this year.
Only three players hold opponents to a lower field goal percentage differential within six feet than Len: Kyle O’Quinn, Rudy Gobert and Kristaps Porzingis. He’s not been proven as a good starter in the NBA yet, but the Warriors would provide Len a great opportunity to look real good.
This 2019 first rounder the Warriors have is really their only trade chip, aside from the younger players on the team. Since Golden State already owes the Utah Jazz their 2017 first, they can’t deal their 2018 pick. That leaves 2019 as the next one up for grabs. If the Suns don’t wish to pay Len, dealing him now could mean they’re willing to take that pick a few years down the road in exchange.