Phoenix Suns: 5 potential Trevor Ariza trades
2. Miami Heat
From a basketball standpoint, half a season of Trevor Ariza doesn’t make much sense for the Miami Heat. Erik Spoelstra’s squad is 9-14, and though they’re only 1.5 games out of a playoff spot despite all the injuries, Pat Riley‘s top priority should be blowing up a mediocre core and shedding long-term salary.
To that end, Ariza is a player who can keep playoff hopes alive and still provide salary cap relief when his contract expires at the end of the season. How much relief depends on how game the Heat are to move on from this current group.
As a start, Ariza for Goran Dragic straight up works. The Suns would get a capable point guard who’s still a fan favorite during his time in the valley, while the Heat would get out of the remaining year and $19.2 million on his player option for 2019-20. Phoenix’s second round pick in this year’s draft could be thrown in if need be.
Dragic isn’t what he once was at 32 years old, averaging just 16.3 points and 4.7 assists per game this season on .416/.323/.760 shooting splits while only suiting up in 12 games due to a knee injury.
However, assuming it’s nothing serious, he’d still be lightyears beyond what Phoenix has at the point guard spot now. His familiarity with head coach Igor Kokoskov from their time together with Team Slovenia certainly wouldn’t hurt either.
However, if Miami is feeling even more rambunctious, and the Suns remain committed to putting help around Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton to chase a playoff spot next season, it’s not impossible to work out a (somewhat) mutually beneficial deal like this one:
James Johnson was a disappointment last year, started this season injured and is only averaging 7.1 points, 2.8 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game on 32.3 percent shooting so far. However, assuming he shakes off the rust, he’s got two-way versatility, would be a solid secondary playmaker in Kokoskov’s system, and would address a position of need at the 4.
The Heat would have to take on the final year and $21.3 million of Ryan Anderson‘s contract, but it’s non-guaranteed and it’s far more preferable than keeping Dragic’s $19.2 million player option and Johnson’s $15.3 million salary for 2019-20, plus another $16 million with his 2020-21 player option.
Miami sheds long-term baggage and snags a 2019 second round pick that will likely be valuable in the 31-35 range, while the Suns address the 1-spot and add another capable two-way veteran to help turn the culture around and make this team tougher.
The extra year on Dragic’s deal and two years on Johnson’s contract aren’t ideal, especially if they continue to age with these type of bang-up injuries, but at some point, the Suns need capable, experienced NBA players.