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PHOENIX SUNS: STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

State of the Franchise

Projected Cap Space (before luxury tax): $16.6 million

Background: A few years ago, after losing franchise PG and two-time league MVP Steve Nash, the Phoenix Suns quietly began rebuilding. Nash was an unrestricted free agent but the Los Angeles Lakers, who wanted to sign him, didn't have enough cap space. The only way to make it work was a sign and trade, so the the Suns ended up getting a couple of first round and second round picks from the deal. That offseason, they also signed PG Goran Dragic, now starting for them, to a 4 year/$30 million deal. In addition, Phoenix traded for PG Eric Bledsoe from the Clippers, at the time backing up All-Star Chris Paul, and Bledsoe had a breakout season in his first season with Phoenix. Last year, the Suns had an excellent start to the season and were looking like a surprise playoff team, but as the season went on, they quietly dropped out of the playoff picture. This season, in an effort to boost their roster in hopes of making the playoffs,they signed PG Isaiah Thomas to a 4 year/$28 million steal of a deal. With their 3 best players all being point guards, the Suns will be looking to make some moves this season to improve their chances at the playoffs.

Current Financial State: Although they signed Bledsoe this year to a new 5 year/$70 million deal, they only have $60 million under contract for next year. This is likely due to the hugely underpaid contracts of Dragic and Thomas, both $7 million per year. Dragic has a player option next year, however, and with the numbers he has put up and his reduced playing time after acquiring Thomas, he is likely to decline it and possibly go elsewhere. After recently extending twins PF Markieff Morris and SF Marcus Morris to a combined 4 year/$52 million, they have a good amount of long term money under contract. As a team trying to make the playoffs, that is not necessarily a bad thing, but they have not made the playoffs yet and the additional flexibility would give the Suns more options. If they make the right moves, they will be able to create some more space and hopefully add the right pieces to help them win a future championship.

Targets: This offseason, and perhaps before the trade deadline, Phoenix will have to make some strategic trades. First of all, they will probably look to trade PG Goran Dragic. Dragic will certainly get a raise from his current $7.5 million expiring salary, likely somewhere around $13 million a year. However, it makes little sense for Phoenix to have so much money tied up in three point guards, after re-signing PG Bledsoe and signing Thomas this offseason. To make the most of the situation, they would have to trade Dragic so they can benefit from his expected departure. Houston has showed lots of interest in acquiring a PG and it would make plenty of sense for them to trade for him. Phoenix has also showed a need for a center that can score down low recently and they have put C Miles Plumlee on the block. A three team trade with Phoenix, Houston, and Minnesota would solve problems for all of them. In this trade, Phoenix would acquire C Nikola Pekovic and PG Mo Williams from Minnesota while giving up Dragic, Plumlee, and recently acquired C Brandan Wright. Houston would receive Dragic and Plumlee while giving up young PF Terrence Jones and the expiring contract of SG Jason Terry. Minnesota would get Wright's expiring deal, plus Terry and Jones, while giving up Pekovic and Williams. A couple of draft picks will likely be involved too, like the New Orleans' first rounder which Houston would give to Minnesota. This trade benefits all the teams involved. Phoenix gets the center they need from dealing Dragic as well as Dragic's veteran replacement, Mo Williams, who can score off the bench. Houston gets their long coveted PG, along with a bonus center who could prove to be useful in the wake of superstar C Dwight Howard's recent injury. Minnesota gets to trade away their highly paid veterans, who they've put on the block for a while, and receive a young prospect along with increased financial flexibility, something rebuilding teams really love, and that’s not even mentioning the first-rounder they’d get from New Orleans via Houston in this trade. A completely three way beneficial trade isn't really that common, but there's one here and all three teams should take this opportunity.

The Fit: There is an easily noticeable fit for every player on their respective new teams. Dragic fits really well with Houston, mainly because he's a serviceable point guard, but also because he can run their offense and dish assists to Howard and Harden. Plumlee fits well because he gives them another center off the bench and as previously mentioned, will fill in for Howard while he's currently injured. Pekovic's fit in Phoenix is an easy one to figure out. They've been lacking that low post scoring from their center and he gives them just that. In addition, they get PG Mo Williams who can score off the bench, as shown by his 52 point outburst this season, and the trade gives them another PG as they're giving up Dragic. Minnesota gets another young prospect to evaluate, and with current PF Thaddeus Young on the block, it helps that he also plays PF. Although the other two are mainly added for financial purposes, they can provide useful minutes off the bench for Minnesota for the rest of this season. With every player fitting so perfectly, it is also good  to know that the money for this trade actually works out.
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