Will the Suns be dealing?
Team in playoff hunt as deadline looms
As the Phoenix Suns try to mount a late challenge for the playoffs they don’t appear to be on the trade radar, though they have some tradable pieces.
BROOKLYN – Injuries are part of the game.
That’s what they say, right?
It’s been a big part of Phoenix’s season that continues to prevent the Suns from fully showing how good they can really be.
They had just 11 players available for Sunday’s game at Milwaukee that ended in a 21-point defeat. Ricky Rubio (ankle) returned Monday at Brooklyn, but the Suns were still without Dario Saric (ankle), who didn't make the three-game road trip, Aron Baynes (hip), Cam Johnson (quad), Ty Jerome (calf ) and Frank Kaminsky (stress fracture).
Plus, Tyler Johnson sat with right knee soreness.
The Suns came into the season with nine new players. Then Deandre Ayton had to serve a 25-game suspension that forced Baynes and Kaminsky to
play way more minutes than projected.
That extra playing time may have caught up with both big men.
Rubio and Baynes both played deep in the 2019 FIBA World Cup with the veteran point guard leading Spain to the tournament title. Rubio signed a threeyear, $51-million deal in the offseason, so he should play heavy minutes, but the Suns haven’t had consistent quality play at backup point guard.
He’s had nagging injuries here and there – and is a new first-time father. Sure Rubio isn’t getting much sleep these days with his baby boy Liam making his presence known.
The irony of all this is Devin Booker, who has had his share of injuries, has remained relatively healthy.
He’s only missed three games with a forearm injury.
That’s truly a blessing in disguise, but Phoenix approaches the trade deadline wondering just how good it could be, trying to develop young talent and keeping an eye on the playoff picture.
The Suns were four games out of the eighth spot going into Monday’s game that’s held by Memphis, which won the season series over them, 3-1. The Grizzlies are the only team the Suns can realistically catch unless they can finally get healthy and make a late push after the all-star break.
Then there’s their schedule.
Six of Phoenix’s next 11 games against playoff contenders.
❚ 2/7 vs. Houston Rockets
❚ 2/8 vs. Denver Nuggets
❚ 2/10 at Los Angeles Lakers
❚ 2/21 at Toronto Raptors
❚ 2/24 at Utah Jazz
❚ 2/26 vs. Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns haven’t played the defending NBA champion Raptors, but they're 1-9 against the remaining teams with the lone win coming against the Clippers way back in October when Paul George was out with injury.
That’s when the Suns showed postseason potential despite Ayton's absence.
Now they’re just trying to get healthy to see if they can make a late run to challenge for a playoff spot. Does that mean are they need to make a major move to better their chances?
The Suns don’t appear to be on the trade radar, but they have tradeable pieces.
Tyler Johnson's name always surfaces because he’s in the final year of his deal that’s paying him $19 million. Saric has already been traded twice in his first three NBA seasons and stayed home for this three-game road trip with the ankle injury.
Baynes is considered a tradeable asset. Then again, he’s missed 10-plus games with hip injuries. Not good, but him playing 10-15 minutes game instead of 25 or more is something a playoff team could use.
Cam Johnson and Jerome are additional, not main pieces, in a trade. They’d have to be paired with a starter and a possible draft pick to make the kind of splash move that signals playoff aspirations.
So, would the Suns be willing to part ways with say Kelly Oubre Jr.?
Probably shouldn’t because of what he brings to the table, his upside and connection to the fan base, but there are playoff teams who could use someone like him who can score, get on the boards, and brings a contagious energy.
Besides, that would really mess up their bobblehead promotion of Oubre for Friday, the day after the trade deadline.
However, he only signed a two-year deal. If the Suns believe Mikal Bridges is
Saturday vs. Denver Nuggets. Tough matchup for the Suns because of Denver’s balance and continuity. Phoenix is 0-3 against Denver, but two of the losses were by a total of three points. Those narrow defeats are part of Phoenix’s 2-7 record in games decided by three points or less. Can the Suns finally break through against Denver?
Monday at Los Angeles Lakers. First trip back to Los Angeles since the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. The Suns are 0-2 against the Lakers. Looking to see how Ayton matches up against Anthony Davis, but beyond that, will Phoenix be healthier by this point going into the all-star break or rest up guys even more and wait until after the break to start fresh?