Let’s check in on the latest updates out of the Pacific Division….
- The Suns‘ impressive start has taken most of us by surprise, but it hasn’t altered the team’s roster or trade plans at all, as Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic details. “During my introductory press conference, the one thing I said we’d never do is pass on a chance to get a star, and that doesn’t change,” said GM Ryan McDonough. “The biggest misconception about our offseason moves was that we were trying to lose. We identified a good group of players who we thought could show more than they had in their careers…. One of the reasons we made four trades in the offseason is to make sure we didn’t have to do anything during the season.”
- The role Chris Kaman‘s had with the Lakers this season is “absolutely not” what he was looking for, writes Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com. However, Kaman says he hasn’t heard anything from the team about the possibility of a trade, so he’s focusing on working hard and being ready to play when the time comes.
- Breaking down Pau Gasol‘s trade value in an Insider-only piece, ESPN.com’s Kevin Pelton concludes that the Lakers may not be looking at much of a return based on Pau’s play so far this season.
- Earlier today, we heard that the Kings may be a suitor for trade candidate Jordan Crawford. A report yesterday had suggested Sacramento was in the market for a pass-first point guard, a label that wouldn’t seem to apply to Crawford despite his career-high 5.5 APG so far.