Phoenix Suns: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season
5. T.J. Warren is traded and Dragan Bender‘s team option is declined
The Suns have a glut of wings, need a point guard and are trying to win games now. While T.J. Warren helps on paper, this isn’t rocket science: He’s the most logical trade candidate given his contract, moderate value to another team and lack of an indispensable role in “The Timeline.”
While it’d be great to see Warren embrace and thrive in a sixth man role, the early returns haven’t been great in preseason. His lack of defense and a respectable 3-point shot continue to be concerns as well. Tony Buckets is expendable while still holding value, so unless Sarver really gets crazy and pushes for a blockbuster trade involving Josh Jackson or Mikal Bridges, he makes the most sense to be on the move.
More from Phoenix Suns
- 3 NBA superstars with legacies on the line heading into 2023–24
- Ranking the 4 riskiest boom-or-bust NBA teams in 2023–24
- 5 NBA players facing do-or-die 2023–2024 seasons
- Report: Phoenix is considering signing two former lottery picks
- Phoenix’s questionable Deandre Ayton strategy is worth the risk
After all, the Suns haven’t gotten to see enough of a 21-year-old Jackson or a 22-year-old Bridges yet to ship them elsewhere. After years of watching Warren, it’s becoming clear he just might be who he is.
As for Dragan Bender, his struggles have been well-documented in both NBA Summer League and preseason. Though he won’t turn 21 until November, the deadline for picking up his $5.9 million team option for 2019-20 is Oct. 31. He’s basically got one preseason game and six regular season games to convince James Jones and an impatient Robert Sarver he’s not worthless.
That would’ve been a tall order had McDonough — the man who drafted him fourth overall in 2016 — still been in charge. Now he’s auditioning for a new front office regime, and, his 3.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game on 2-of-13 shooting in preseason have made for a disastrous start.
The safe money’s on Warren being included in a trade for a point guard, with Bender becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer after having his team option declined.