NBA Trade Grades: Suns dump T.J. Warren to Pacers

Phoenix Suns

For the Phoenix Suns to create max cap space this summer, they need to dump both T.J. Warren and Josh Jackson without taking back virtually any salary, and they’ll also need to stretch and waive Tyler Johnson once he opts into his $19.2 million player option.

Consider this baffling move the first step in a risky gambit to get there. The Suns’ ideal offseason is still mostly in play, but dumping a 20 points per game scorer and improved 3-point shooter for virtually nothing is a move that could undoubtedly come back to bite them.

Remember, Phoenix is not a prime free agency destination, nor has it been known for anything other than losing, front office chaos, player-management discord and a youth movement that’s still having trouble getting off the ground. Does James Jones know something we don’t?

https://twitter.com/Dloading/status/1141826302711881728

At this time, it’s hard to judge this trade fully. In a vacuum, it’s obviously a big-time loss. Warren may not have had a place with the team’s long-term core given his reluctance to embrace his calling as a sixth man and his inability to stay on the court, but dumping him for nothing but cap space is a hard way to cut one’s losses — necessary as it might be.

Now the question is what the Suns will do with that cap space. They’re hedging their bets on free agency, and possibly the hope that Kyrie Irving joining the Brooklyn Nets will make restricted free agent D’Angelo Russell — a first-time All-Star and friend of Devin Booker — available.

Other options could include Patrick Beverley, Cory Joseph, Malcolm Brogdon or Ricky Rubio — who they’ll be fighting over with the Pacers.

Only time will tell whether this is the right play, or whether the Suns are making another shortsighted move to create space that never turns into anything. For now, this is a losing trade, but it could quickly turn around should Phoenix have a productive summer and put its cap space — currently sitting around $21 million — to good use.

One thing is for certain: Another season of failing to approach 30 wins can’t happen. This could be the painful, necessary first step to acquiring established vets to help get the Suns there, but for now, there’s only pain.

Grade: C-