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The NBA’s version of a swap meet is officially open for business, and teams looking to solidify their championship chances or brighten their futures are in the market to find a deal.
You’ve got teams like the Kings of Sacramento at the far end claiming they don’t want to part with their wares while really just waiting for the right offer. On the far end of the aisle, teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks and, yes, your Phoenix Suns are looking to make the right move to solidify their claim to the Larry O’Brien trophy.
In a vacuum, the decision seems simple. The Phoenix Suns ARE THE BEST TEAM IN THE NBA, and as such, they shouldn’t do anything drastic. They should simply fill in some of the holes at the fringes of their roster. But basketball teams aren’t built in a vacuum, and thanks to decisions last offseason, the front office finds itself in a situation that MacGruber would be accustomed to. One where they have a ticking time bomb in front of them ready to go off in July.
That’s why, before Thursday’s deadline, the Suns need to answer one question that could define the present and the future of the franchise: Are you willing to go full Scrooge McDuck and dive headfirst into the luxury tax this offseason? Which they should be willing to do if they knew what’s best for them
If the answer is no, then it’s time to seriously consider moving on from Deandre Ayton right now and maximize the value you get in return while staying “all-in.”
Just like the illusion of the swap meet, you aren’t getting something of value for nothing in the NBA. Sure, every once in a while you’ll find the Rembrandt behind the random painting of flowers, but more often than not, if you lowball you will wind up leaving empty-handed.
This deadline, unlike others, has players of value available at the right price. Portland appears ready to move on from CJ McCollum, Indiana seems to have made everything that isn’t nailed down, including Jimmy Chitwood, available for the right offer, the 76ers are in search of an answer to their conundrum and the aforementioned Kings are likely to go full Kangz.
So if you’re the Suns, there is no better time than the present to take a long, hard look in the mirror and decide if you’re willing to pony up and pay Deandre Ayton the max he’ll demand. If the answer is yes, go shopping in the bargain bin to fill holes.
If not, it’s time to avoid the drama and the damage to his trade value that will come in the offseason and find a player that can help you win now and in the future while keeping your salary cap in a range that you’re comfortable with. It’s time to take a big swing.
Domantas Sabonis is under contract until 2024 with a reasonable contract that starts at $18.5 million and escalates to $19.4 million in the final year. Sure, he’s not the defensive stalwart that DA is, but he’s everything you hope he could be offensively and more. Maybe it’s a win-win in the big picture, and keeping him away from, say, the Warriors might be worth the risk.
The wheeling and dealing is underway. Will the Suns find their diamond in the rough that could be the final piece, or will they surprise and both buy while selling? All that is for sure is the swap meet is a crapshoot, and Phoenix has some major decisions to make. The clock is ticking.
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