Fans in Phoenix are outraged at this team after its lackluster play as of late, with the team showing us that they want to win and compete for half the night. Meanwhile, in the other half, they have given up or are lazy. This has led the team to a 16-19 record and out of the West play-in. With stars Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker, and a hypothetical star, Bradley Beal, sitting at 12th in the West is unacceptable. This has led the team to make internal changes by benching Beal and Jusuf Nurkic. Even with this move, it has not solved the Suns’ issues, as a looming trade for Jimmy Butler is all over NBA media. With this being the case, it ultimately raises the question of whether Phoenix can obtain Butler. Do you think it will solve this team’s issues?
Will a Blockbuster Trade Fix the Suns Problems?
The Simple Answer to a Trade
Yes. If the Suns can facilitate a three-team deal to acquire Butler, it fixes some problems. For starters, the Suns need another voice in the locker room. One the team will respect and follow as a leader. Butler has shown his ability to do that by leading two underdog Miami Heat teams to the NBA finals. One of those was an eight-seed who was faced with a win-or-go-home scenario in the play-in tournament. Jimmy can be that voice that everyone will respect and listen to. He also is impactful on the defensive side of the ball, something the Suns lack as a whole. Over the last two months, they have had a 116.8 defensive rating, which ranks 27th across the NBA. That is atrocious and cannot happen to a team that wants to contend in the playoffs.
Is it Truly Beal’s fault?
In my honest opinion, it is not. Yes, it has been underwhelming, but I think the issue is how he fits with the team. Beal is another guard who needs the ball in his hands and is a scorer similar to the other stars. A starting lineup of three scorers with no defensive pressure in the front court or perimeter is a recipe for disaster. Moving him to the bench won’t do much for the team. It will only infuriate a player “who holds all the cards” as he said following the win vs the 76ers. I genuinely believe his frustration will grow, and he will waive his no-trade clause to compete in a role that suits him. Just who wants him?
The Harsh Reality
Even if the Suns can get a trade for Jimmy Butler and move off Bradley Beal’s contract, there are still issues with this team. You must trade other pieces to get additional draft capital to get a player like Butler on this team. The Suns have one first-round pick in 2031 and three second-round picks (2026, and 2031 from Denver and their own in 2030). This would not be enough to swing a deal to move off Beal’s contract if you got all that sorted out, though they are still issues.
The Complicated Truth for a Move
Not only do the Suns have a defensive issue, but a center issue as well. The center department is the absolute worst in the entire association. Nurkic cannot stay healthy, looks lazy, and seems lost, even when he comes off the bench. He does not look bought in and has not all season long. Mason Plumlee was brought in to be a filler guy and play 15 minutes a night. Now, he is required to be the starter, and for Suns fans, that is not going well. From smoking layups and making questionable decisions on defense, fans have turned on him. Lastly, Oso Ighodaro is the only one who has shown any promise. The only demise is that he is inexperienced and should not be thrown into the dumpster fire the Suns have created.
A move for a new center must also be made. The only issue is that it all depends on who you give up. If you’re looking to move Nurkic, you’re going to have to attach draft capital to that abysmal contract as well. If you’re sending out Grayson Allen, Tyus Jones, or Josh Okogie, you may be able to obtain a salvageable big to hold you over this season.
The Last Word
Truthfully, for the Suns, a move is necessary. A Suns trade needs to happen in the next week or so if this team wants any chance to find some playoff hopes, as they are simply slipping away. Regardless of what Butler costs in additional trades, you go for it. Booker and Durant said they enjoy Phoenix and do not want to leave. You build around them to the best of your ability, even if it hinders the future. Ultimately, I do not believe Butler is enough, as they still require center additions. They need some lineup adjustments, but that could come to fruition with a tweaked roster.
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