The NBA Trade Rumors mill has found it’s way to the Valley of the Sun.
The Phoenix Suns are ready to enter the 2016-17 with a loaded team. Their frontcourt is set with Alex Len, T.J. Warren, P.J. Tucker, Tyson Chandler and the young Corey Jefferson. The backcourt has Devon Booker, Eric Bledsoe, Leandro Barbosa, Archie Goodwin, Brandon Knight , Tyler Ulis and John Jenkins.
But here lies the issue with the Suns. They have too much of a good thing, especially in the backcourt. If the Suns were to actually go thru with the trades they’ve been talking about they could really be a legit contender this season. There have been talks of moving Bledsoe and with the way Booker played last season with Bledsoe out, plus his age, that may be the smart move. But trade him to where and for whom is the question?
The most likely destination would be the Denver Nuggets and here is why. The Nuggets have tried to move PF, Kenneth Faried for two seasons but have yet to find a suitable partner. The Nuggets have gone as far as asking for a draft pick, meaning they are more than willing to wash their hands with Faried. This trade will benefit both sides.
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The Suns will get a post player that can score, rebound and play defense, plus, Faried loves to run the floor. Last season, he averaged 13 points and eight rebounds in 67 games (all starts) but there was a disconnect with his head coach. The Nuggets will get Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler back, plus the improved play of Darrell Arthur, Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic, and Faried might be the odd man out.
The Suns have too much talent in the backcourt, meaning one of those all-purpose guards will get his walking papers. Bledsoe can still put points on the board and play solid defense, just what the Nuggets need to pair with the young playmaker, Emmanuel Mudiay. The Suns will be okay with Knight and Booker starting with Goodwin and Jenkins in the reserve role. But, with they way Booker displayed a high scoring ability towards the end of the season, it would be foolish to put him back on the bench.
Another reason the Suns might be willing to part with Bledsoe is his injury history. Since entering the league in 2010 he as managed to play only three full seasons as health has set him back. Booker is the smarter choice here.
This are rumors for now, but these whispers could get louder, and for once, this is a trade that would benefit both teams. Sometimes all a player needs is a change of scenery.