The Suns and Grizzlies, two of the top three teams in the Western Conference standings, haven’t been mentioned often in trade rumors in recent weeks, but both clubs are keeping an eye on the market for potential upgrades around the edges of their rosters, Marc Stein writes in his latest Substack column.
According to Stein, the Suns have discussed the idea of pursuing another shooter.
Phoenix has a top-five offense, but ranks just 25th in three-point attempts (22nd in makes). Landry Shamet, acquired in the offseason to improve the team’s outside shooting, is hitting just 37.0% of his shots from the floor, including 34.9% of his threes — those numbers are well below the .416 FG% and .397 3PT% career rates he brought into this season.
While Stein doesn’t name any specific targets on the Suns’ radar, Dario Saric and Jalen Smith are among the team’s most logical trade candidates. Saric is recovering from an ACL tear and his $8.51MM salary could be useful if the club targets a mid-level type player. Phoenix declined its 2022/23 team option for Smith, so he’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are hesitant to make any moves that will hinder their flexibility in the offseason, but they’re on the lookout for more depth on the wing, says Stein.
Memphis has some good wing options already, including Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson, and John Konchar. Even rookie Ziaire Williams has been contributing lately, starting the club’s last nine games.
Still, given how hard teams have been hit this season by injuries and COVID-19, it’s no surprise that the Grizzlies would want to stockpile as many reliable reserves as possible, just in case. Using Jarrett Culver‘s expiring contract and a future draft asset to shop for one more bench player might make sense for Memphis.
Best move they could do is trade picks, McGee, Saric, the Tank, and Jalen for John Collins.
They also have to be looking at Wood, RoCo, Nance, Grant.
But if it were me, mortgage the picks for John Collins. You could let Ayton walk at the end of the season.
But you’d have Booker, CP3, Payne, Bridges, Crowder, Cam, Shamet, and Collins under contract for at least 1 more season, most of them 2+. Really not needing to build via the draft. You can find cheap frontcourt help.
If only TJ McConnell was healthy he would be the perfect backup PG for the Grizzlies.
As an out of the box idea, I wonder if they could get the right price for Deni Avdija. He has talent that he hasn’t lived up to and can play both forward positions and can be a good passer. The Grizzlies are one of the best young player development teams in the league right now and have Kyle Anderson on an expiring who might be someone who gives immediate impact for the Wizards. They also have 3 firsts this upcoming draft.
The best idea for Suns is to trade for Wood.
Saric, 2025 and 2027 Firsts for Wood.
Suns have no assets to trade for John Collins, Brunson, DFS, and Duncan Robinson.
Just quickly considering Ayton didn’t get the max extension already and he’s now having some injuries stuff. McGee and Biyambo have done excellent since he’s gone and the team haven’t taken a backwards step at all. Ayton is going to get the max be it from Phoenix or elsewhere.
Maybe he is expendable?
Maybe they don’t want to throw 30+ mil a season at him knowing they win without him and he’s easily replaceable and there are much cheaper alternatives….
In which case could they go bold and target Randle, JC, Turner and extras….
If I’m the Grizzlies I wouldn’t want to risk messing up the chemistry of this team. It would have to be a really good return and value for money deal for them to pull the trigger I think.
I do agree for Grizz but with the Culver 6M$ + 3x1st @ this draft, i hope Memphis will be active for trading any type of PO dude, contenders best 6th man to distupt other teams trade market … Pick up the phone for Brunson, DFS, Rocco Nurk, Jordan Poole & GP2… They are one of the only team with assets picks and cap room so make that TD a total mess for the other contenders.
They need one elite go to guy, and i think that Ayton, Saric and Crowder could generate Irving.
PHX is probably in the toughest deadline quandary of any team-
the 23 Tax Bill and Ayton looms heavy…
There might be a sneaky trade of multi year contracts they could send for an expiring but the problem is that expiring better provide it’s worth on the court and I just don’t know who that player would be today. Thad Young?
Probably never happens but theres a world where the Suns never are going to pay Ayton and roll the Dice trading him for whatever they need +picks. Id love to see it . The free agent Center market is actually pretty saturated the next 2 years which should lead to bargains. I like Ayton but I couldn’t pay him 30 per looking at the current C market and the current NBA. Tough call
In each of these cases, particularly PHX, I think looking to “improve depth” means they’ll consider moves that will upgrade the edges of the rotation, not ones that would reconfigure the team’s core group. The TD market is more conducive to the first in any event.