Although this season’s NBA trade deadline doesn’t project to be as eventful as years prior, the trade season gives contending teams like the Phoenix Suns the opportunity to refine the margins.
What are the margins the Suns need to refine? You may ask. One move could include moving off a piece to get below the luxury tax line a half a season removed from sitting above the second apron.
As ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst suggests, Phoenix may not need to make a roster move because its biggest addition is already rostered.
“I know it sounds corny and I know fans love midseason acquisitions,” Windhorst said in his guest appearance on Gerald Bourguet’s Suns After Dark podcast. “The Suns have been involved in big-time midseason acquisitions before, but their midseason trade acquisition is gonna be Jalen Green.”
MORE: Devin Booker, Suns players make case for Jordan Ott as Coach of the Year
Green's turbulent season
Green has played in just two games for Phoenix this season, remaining out since early November with a right hamstring strain. In his first and only full game with the Suns, he erupted for 29 points on 6-for-13 on 3-pointers and 4-for-7 on 2-pointers in a 115-102 win against the Los Angeles Clippers. He exited the next game after playing just six minutes.
The former Houston Rockets guard was the key figure in Phoenix's offseason trade that sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets for Green, Brooks and the draft picks that turned into Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea.
While Green hasn't been able to see the floor, Brooks has risen as a prominent offensive staple in the Suns' otherwise lackluster scoring attack, what with Green, a scoring force in his own right, missing all but two games this season
More NBA news:
- Jaren Jackson Jr. Could be traded due to domino effect if Ja Morant is moved, NBA insider reveals
- Why LeBron James will be only player in NBA with special patch on his jersey
- Celtics' Jaylen Brown has sarcastic wish granted, gets hefty fine after latest comments
- Lakers’ JJ Redick removing shootarounds ahead of toughest stretch of season