Kofi Inkoom
The Phoenix Suns have finalized their roster for the 2023-24 season, but it’s important for them to continue monitoring available players.
While it would be ideal for every offseason addition to excel, it’s realistic to expect some may not.
Over the past six months, the Suns have been highly assertive in their quest for an NBA championship.
They’ve made substantial changes to the team that reached the NBA Finals in 2021. For instance, they traded Mikal Bridges for Kevin Durant and swapped Chris Paul for Bradley Beal, demonstrating their strong desire to secure a championship in the near future.
The Suns’ willingness to trade talented players for superstar talent reflects their aggressive approach and determination to secure immediate success. This creates an intriguing prospect based on recent reports.
In an interview with the New York Times about a week ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo talked about his future with the Milwaukee Bucks and his aspiration to win an NBA championship.
He also mentioned the possibility of a contract extension and his belief that the organization still needs to demonstrate something before he commits to it.
“Next summer it would make more sense for both parties. Even then, I don’t know. I would not be the best version of myself if I don’t know that everybody’s on the same page, everybody’s going for a championship, everybody’s going to sacrifice time away from their family like I do. And if I don’t feel that, I’m not signing.”
These remarks are thought-provoking and could create the possibility of a major trade for the two-time MVP if the Milwaukee Bucks don’t meet Giannis’s expectations.
While other teams might present more comprehensive trade packages for the former Finals MVP, the Suns provide the most promising chance for Giannis to secure an NBA championship.
Phoenix has demonstrated a willingness to trade significant talent to enhance their roster, as evidenced by their recent transactions.
Consequently, there are three players that the Suns could consider trading to the Bucks as part of an attempt to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo.
3. Deandre Ayton
When considering significant moves for the Suns, one prominent candidate is their former number one pick, Deandre Ayton.
Ayton has been the subject of numerous trade speculations over the past two seasons, particularly after he signed an offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, which was later matched by Phoenix.
Ayton has proven to be a consistent player, maintaining a double-double average throughout his career, showcasing his ability to both score and rebound.
Nevertheless, there’s a clear need for improvement on the defensive end of the court for him to become a significant contributor to the team’s success.
If his performance with The Bahamas during this offseason serves as an indicator, Ayton has been concentrating on enhancing this aspect of his game.
Consequently, his trade potential might have increased. If Ayton were to be traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, he would have a greater opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities as a primary offensive option alongside Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton.
On the other hand, if a trade involving Ayton and several other role players were to occur with the Suns, it would enable Giannis Antetokounmpo to join Phoenix without them having to part with any of their core trio.
In this scenario, he could seamlessly fit into a lineup featuring Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, instantly making them the frontrunners for an NBA championship.
2. Kevin Durant
Is Trading Kevin Durant for Giannis a Wise Move for the Suns?
We understand the potential hesitation in trading Kevin Durant, especially considering how aggressively the Suns pursued him last season.
If this were any other player, Durant would likely be considered off-limits. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo is not just any player.
Giannis boasts an impressive resume, with an NBA Championship, two MVP awards, a Finals MVP, and even a former Defensive Player of the Year title.
He’s arguably one of the greatest players in basketball history, and he’s only 28 years old, having achieved so much already. In contrast, Durant is also among the all-time greats, but age is a significant factor here.
Durant is currently 34 years old and will be 35 when the 2023-24 season begins.
While he continues to perform at a high level and has had a storied career, the Suns could potentially benefit more in terms of playing time and long-term success by acquiring Giannis.
Durant’s injury history has indeed raised concerns, as he has experienced extended periods of absence due to injuries.
On the other hand, Giannis has consistently played over 60 games per season, demonstrating his durability.
While Durant would likely not stay content in Milwaukee if they weren’t in contention for a championship, the Bucks could use such a move to acquire Durant and then potentially trade him to kickstart a rebuilding phase with young talent, similar to how the Wizards acquired Chris Paul from Phoenix and quickly moved him for the promising Jordan Poole.
A lineup featuring Booker, Beal, Ayton, and Giannis would be a formidable force, although it’s challenging to envision Phoenix trading Durant unless he explicitly requests it.
Nevertheless, if there were any player the Suns would consider trading Durant for, it would undoubtedly be Giannis.
1. Bradley Beal
While it might appear unusual to consider trading Bradley Beal, especially since the Suns recently acquired him, it does make sense and is a plausible option if Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available.
Beal is undoubtedly a star player who complements the Suns’ big three nicely, but the prospect of Giannis joining forces with Durant and Booker is even more enticing.
The feasibility of such a move could depend on the midseason standings for both the Suns and the Bucks.
If Beal isn’t proving to be the right fit, the Suns might explore trading him to see what they can acquire in return.
Similarly, the Milwaukee Bucks might entertain the idea of trading Beal if their superstar talent expresses a desire to leave due to underperformance by the team.
While additional pieces may be necessary from the Suns, the Bucks could receive a decent return if they were to accept an offer for Beal.
Bradley Beal, the star shooting guard, posted impressive numbers last season, averaging 23.2 points and 5.4 assists per game.
This showcases his ability to both create plays and serve as the primary offensive option.
He would seamlessly fit into the backcourt alongside Jrue Holiday and would have solid supporting players like Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis.
The Suns would become an even more formidable force with a frontcourt trio consisting of Giannis, Durant, and Ayton, asserting their dominance over opposing big men.
In the backcourt, they would still have superstar teammate Booker leading the way.
While it might not appear highly probable that the Bucks would trade Giannis or that the Suns would be the top contenders if it did happen, Phoenix should definitely consider making an offer if the opportunity arises.
Any of these three players could potentially be the key to acquiring one of the greatest players in the history of the game.