Despite all of the rumors and speculation that the Suns would make a deal before the trade deadline passed, 1:00 P.M. passed and while there were several major trades, none of them involved the Suns. This is a smart move. Call it cliché, but why mess with a good thing? With no trade, Phoenix is still well-poised to a playoff run and they still have the potential return of Eric Bledsoe, which is a trade in and of itself.
What made the Suns such a favorable trade partner was their crafty possession of four first-round draft picks. But GM Ryan McDonough and the Suns management understand the value of these picks and are coveting and keeping them despite other team’s offers. In the NBA, first-round draft picks are golden. Just look at the Oklahoma City Thunder if you want to see a current example of how draft picks can turn around a team. Combined with that, McDonough is a genius at developing a team. He can see talent where others can’t (see Miles Plumlee, Gerald Green, Ish Smith, and even Eric Bledsoe). Think of the magic he can work with not one, but four first-round picks. Not only that, but this upcoming draft is completely loaded with star players and is much deeper than drafts of the past few years. That means more high-caliber talent for the Suns to use their four picks on. McDonough also understands that the Suns are still very young and they shouldn’t sacrifice the future of the team by trading away chances at drafting and building up a young core, even if that means missing the playoffs or enduring a first-round playoff exit. Thinking of the future is most important.
Plus, any trade would possibly jeopardized the team chemistry that has been unbelievable this season. That is something that was pretty high on McDonough’s list, and it should be. The team has revolved around a fast pace offense and sharing the ball, with five players averaging double figures. Teams shouldn’t mess with chemistry when the results are so positive.
Ultimately, the basic fact that the Suns management kept coming back to is that the team is playing great basketball, so why make any changes. Look toward the future first and foremost. That led to a quiet trade deadline that in the long run will serve the Suns perfectly fine.
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