Quick hitters
Most of the other players on the Phoenix Suns can have their situations summed up pretty briefly. They don’t warrant full breakdowns, but they’re still worth mentioning. Think of this as a lightning round.
Devin Booker: Winner — More spacing for the youngster means more driving lanes. Losing Knight also means the ball is definitively Booker’s for now, if that was ever even in question. Now, he’s got to make sure he continues to improve his playmaking.
Deandre Ayton: Winner — Like Booker, Ayton will benefit from the extra spacing. Anderson is a better shooter than Ariza and a way better shooter than Jackson, so he’ll certainly allow Ayton to post up and have the paint to himself.
T.J. Warren: Loser — Warren is now firmly planted behind Anderson, Ariza, and Jackson in the rotation. Bridges and Bender will get minutes (at the 3 and 4 respectively) as well. Look for the Suns to shop him for a point guard, seeing as he is their best asset who’s still expendable.
Elie Okobo: Winner — The same reasoning that worked for Melton works for Okobo. The former starter is gone, and now Okobo has a shot at more minutes, if not a starting position.
Mikal Bridges: Neutral — Bridges might lose a few minutes as a small forward if Ariza plays a lot there, but he will likely play mostly as a shooting guard anyway. If Warren is traded for a point guard, then even this minor concern is moot.
Tyson Chandler and Richaun Holmes: Losers — Anderson and Bender are both capable of playing at the 5, and it seems like they might shift down there more often than Bender and Chriss would have before the trade. Perhaps one of them will be added into another trade soon to come.