Suns News: Weeks 12 & 13 (1/6-1/19)

[ShelC]

Obviously we'd want picks from the Ws but not sure what they'd give up in addition to 4 players. And Wiggins and Kuminga would just create a logjam at the 3 with Dunn unless we moved one. I'd be willing to flip Kuminga for a legit big like Richards so in that deal it'd be more about acquiring tradeable assets.

[specialsauce]

Would you guys trade KD for Mikal and Mitchell Robinson, no picks

[ShelC]

No.

[Split T]

I would

[ShelC]

Mitch is never healthy and you can get more from other teams.

[Ring_Wanted]

I believe Ishbia would never move Durant this deadline, the ego hit would be just devastating, but I'd make the following calls:

NYK - I think they give up Bridges+McBride+Robinson+filler for Durant (with a wink-wink agreement that we cut bodies they can sign like Plumlee and Monte). Adding picks is not really an option since they gave up so much for Mikal. Some swaps could be arranged, in 2026, 2028 and 2030.

HOU - I wish they'd surrender Amen, they can even keep our picks. But if I am HOU there is just no way I give up Thompson. Expirings and lesser prospects, plus our picks, I'd consider if I was the Rockets.

MIA - if we take Butler and some combination of picks (they can give up 2026 swap, 2028 swap, 2029, 2030 swap, 2031).

LAL - if we took their trash, Knetch+Christie and the most control we can get over their future picks, which considering the commitments by both teams would mean the Suns getting LAL 2026 (swap), 2028 (swap), 2030 (swap) and 2031.

bonus:

OKC - Hartenstein+Dort plus picks. Would love Chet but just ain't no way.

MEM - Edey+Aldama+Smart+Clarke.

[Mori Chu]

How far above the 2nd apron are we? Are there any realistic KD trades that put us under the apron so that we could make follow-up moves with more flexibility as a 1st apron team?

NGL I kind of like that Mikal NY trade idea but there is absolutely *NO WAY* Ishbia would do it since it would be so obviously an undo of his signature move as owner, but for a much lesser return (no/fewer picks coming back). It would be too great an admission of his own failure, too soon.

[Mori Chu]

I believe Ishbia would never move Durant this deadline, the ego hit would be just devastating, but I'd make the following calls:

NYK - I think they give up Bridges+McBride+Robinson+filler for Durant (with a wink-wink agreement that we cut bodies they can sign like Plumlee and Monte). Adding picks is not really an option since they gave up so much for Mikal. Some swaps could be arranged, in 2026, 2028 and 2030.

HOU - I wish they'd surrender Amen, they can even keep our picks. But if I am HOU there is just no way I give up Thompson. Expirings and lesser prospects, plus our picks, I'd consider if I was the Rockets.

MIA - if we take Butler and some combination of picks (they can give up 2026 swap, 2028 swap, 2029, 2030 swap, 2031).

LAL - if we took their trash, Knetch+Christie and the most control we can get over their future picks, which considering the commitments by both teams would mean the Suns getting LAL 2026 (swap), 2028 (swap), 2030 (swap) and 2031.

bonus:

OKC - Hartenstein+Dort plus picks. Would love Chet but just ain't no way.

MEM - Edey+Aldama+Smart+Clarke.

Thanks for laying out all these trade ideas. The one that makes the least sense to me is the Butler one. Why bother trading for Butler if we lose KD in the process? A "Big 3" of Booker, Butler, Beal isn't winning anything. And why would Miami think that Butler -> KD (minus their own future picks) would make them a contender?

I really just want to dump him on Houston for our picks and salary ballast back. I don't even really need to demand one of their blue chip rookies back. Just give me my picks and let me go get some losses.

[The Bobster]

Trading Durant for Butler doesn't really accomplish much.

The Bridges/Robinson trade is intriguing though, especially if they can trade Allen or Nurkic for a big forward.

[ShelC]

The Knicks aren't giving up Bridges. I don't think a Butler for KD deal is feasible capwise and we'd be that much smaller, but I'd also insist on getting Ware in the deal.

I wouldn't say no to Houston if they didn't include Thompson but I'd need Tari and Jabari Smith Jr plus two picks and whatever salary is needed to make it work.

[Split T]

How far above the 2nd apron are we? Are there any realistic KD trades that put us under the apron so that we could make follow-up moves with more flexibility as a 1st apron team?

Not in season…Detroit has cap space…but not enough…we’re like 31 million over the 2nd apron.

[TOO]

Suns are so awful defensively. Just awful.

[Split T]

Some Beal to Milwaukee buzz going around…Apparently there was a deal in place to send him there for Middleton at one point(from Washington) and Beal said no because he didn’t like that Middleton picked up his PO to stay in Milwaukee only to get traded.

Milwaukee makes some sense because Beal is actually an upgrade on the court and health wise to Middleton. Not sure he’s a good fit with Dame, but we don’t have Giannis/Lopez covering for them defensively.

The tricky part is Milwaukee needs to get under the 2nd apron to make a trade work. We obviously can’t take on extra salary so a 3rd team is needed. Roping in Miami and Butler doesn’t help because Miami can’t add salary either. A 4th team(like Detroit) with cap space would be needed.

There could be something around Beal to Milwaukee, Middleton to Miami, Butler to Phoenix as the main idea though.

[ShelC]

Milwaukee wants Beal and Dame inthe same backcourt?

[Split T]

Not sure they still do…I think when they tried to trade for him it was when they had Jrue still.

Dame/Beal is more doable with Giannis/Brook on the back end though. It’s not like Middleton is doing better either.

[Kryptonic]

Milwaukee wants Beal and Dame inthe same backcourt?

I'd put money on it that is exactly what Washington said about us... "Phx really wants Booker and Beal in the same backcourt?!?" lol

[Kryptonic]

Not sure they still do…I think when they tried to trade for him it was when they had Jrue still.

Dame/Beal is more doable with Giannis/Brook on the back end though. It’s not like Middleton is doing better either.

Interesting...
I feel like the Bucks would be mighty thin and dumb taking on a guy who has health issues.... but hope they're dumb enough. Also, what kind of picks would have to be included?

[Mori Chu]

Milwaukee wants Beal and Dame inthe same backcourt?

I don't think Beal+Dame is a great fit, but at least Dame is sort of a PG, whereas Book really really isn't ("Point Book" marketing aside).

[Split T]

The key is Middleton is even more injury prone than Beal…and an older/worse player at this point.

I think Miami and Detroit need compensation but not sure either needs the 2031 1st…maybe Miami gets it and sends some 2nds to Detroit?

[ShelC]

Post-practice interviews with KD and Tyus

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