Phoenix Suns: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19
As the Phoenix Suns look to start competing again, patience won’t last forever. Which players could be on the trade block in 2018-19?
Coming off a season featuring the NBA’s worst record, point differential, offensive rating and defensive rating, it’s safe to say the Phoenix Suns don’t have many untouchable players on their roster. Aside from Devin Booker and his max contract extension, along with No. 1 draft pick Deandre Ayton, no one on this roster should feel safe.
Heading into the 2018-19 NBA season, there are clearly different tiers to the trade block for the Suns. With a roster made up of youngsters with little experience and veterans who might be over the hill, general manager Ryan McDonough is still trying to sculpt the next contender in Phoenix.
Booker’s growth in 2017-18 — along with the arrival of promising lottery picks like Ayton, Josh Jackson and Mikal Bridges — means McDonough and the Suns can no longer be patient. Booker himself has said he’s done with not making the playoffs, and after eight straight years without the playoffs, “The Timeline” needs to find the next blip moving the franchise closer to being a respectable basketball team again.
Phoenix had a great summer, but even with another year of internal growth and the additions of Ayton, Bridges, Trevor Ariza and Elie Okobo, this team is nowhere near playoff contention in a loaded Western Conference.
More trades have to be on the horizon if the Suns are serious about returning to the postseason, and even if that isn’t a realistic goal for 2018-19, adding more talent for the long-term is crucial if certain pieces don’t pan out soon.
The question is, which players on the roster are expendable and also have some trade value around the league? If the Phoenix Suns make a trade in 2018-19, here’s a look at the three players most likely to be on the move.
Honorable Mentions
Tyson Chandler — Chandler has a $13.6 million expiring contract that could be attractive, and even as he prepares to turn 36, he could still help a contender’s frontcourt depth with rebounding and experience. However, the Suns might prefer to just keep him as a mentor for Ayton, let his contract expire and enjoy the cap space for next summer.
Troy Daniels — Daniels is another expiring contract ($3.3 million), he’d provide 3-point shooting for a more competitive team’s bench and he plays on a Suns roster overstocked with wings. However, his floor-spacing could help Phoenix and to be perfectly honest, he’s not an interesting trade option to crack the top three.
Brandon Knight — If the Suns had addressed the point guard position, this would be a no-brainer. However, they’re going to give Knight a chance to lead the offense instead. If he works out, Phoenix would be less inclined to trade the remaining two years and $30.3 million on his contract, and if he doesn’t, other teams would be downright uninterested in that kind of baggage.