Phoenix Suns face trade deadline crossroads as Luka joins the Lakers

We’re all still scratching our heads over what went down between the Mavs and the Lakers. But what does it mean for Phoenix?

Like the rest of the NBA universe, I’m in full “absorbing mode” today. We are recovering from a moment unlike any other I’ve experienced as it relates to NBA moves. It was so shocking that the thought that Shams Charania was hacked seemed more believable. Shams had to re-tweet it to add validity. And even then we didn’t believe it.

Sure, Kevin Durant to the Suns was huge back in February 2022, but Phoenix had to mortgage their entire future for that one. But this? Luka Doncic heading to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and a first-round pick? Massive. They’ll be talking about what happened last night in Dallas for the next 25 years.

Now, as a Suns fan, I’m stuck watching this drama unfold just outside my window. It didn’t occur in the Suns’ backyard, but it did happen on their block and in their neighborhood. Luka’s coming to the Pacific Division, meaning I’ll be seeing him at least once a year and probably for the rest of his career. Great. Can’t wait.

But then, you take a step back, look past your neighborhood, and get the full scope of the NBA landscape. Sure, this trade feels more like a one-for-one swap. Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, two All-NBA players going head-to-head. This wasn’t a case of sending an All-Star out for some spare parts and a few questionable picks. That’s where it gets tricky when trying to gauge the ripple effects of this deal. Only one pick was involved, and that’s a solid indicator that this isn’t a fire sale.

Dallas, for all their asset limitations, didn’t just throw Luka out there for the highest bidder. Instead, they targeted Davis, someone who can help them win a championship now, especially with Kyrie Irving still playing at an elite level. It’s not a fold-and-rebuild move; they’re pushing for it.

This deal also highlights just how terrifying the NBA’s first and second tax aprons really are. Luka is still on his first max contract, having signed his designated rookie scale deal for 5 years and $215.2 million back in 2021. His fifth year, 2026-27, is a player option, and soon enough talks will kick off for his second max contract. That means we’re looking at a third max contract in roughly six years.

And here’s where this move gets interesting: Dallas isn’t looking to be shackled by that anchor. They want to win now but also keep their future open, ready to make moves and strengthen their roster in 6-7 years, not be locked into a hefty deal that could stifle their options. This trade is all about flexibility.

The economics for the Lakers make a lot of sense. LeBron James will eventually be gone, and with Luka taking the reins, he’ll be the sole max contract on the roster. And Luka won’t be in line for a supermax contract because the Lakers didn’t draft him.

This opens up flexibility for the Lakers to build around him without the pressure of stacking the team with other max players. Instead, they can surround him with mid-level guys earning around $20 million per year, helping solidify his strengths without overshadowing him.

It’s a clash of short-term versus long-term strategies at play here.

And here we are, back in our own backyard, staring at the Phoenix Suns’ strategy and wondering what went wrong. In a time when conservative spending is the norm, the Suns have thrown caution to the wind, pouring money into a system that’s clearly not working. A first-round sweep last year, and a team struggling to stay above .500 this season. Yeah, this is not sustainable, and it’s killing the fanbase’s hope.

The Bradley Beal trade? A disaster. It’s not just a financial burden; it’s a dead weight. In a league moving away from the concept of a “big three,” the Suns traded for a duplicative asset with a no-trade clause that likely won’t be moved at the deadline. And why? Because it’s arguably the worst contract in the league. Talk about a stick in our spokes.

So, is there a path forward for the Suns to retool their future?

At this point, it would have to involve Kevin Durant or Devin Booker, because let’s be real, Bradley Beal isn’t going anywhere. Suns fans need to ask themselves: Do you want to end up feeling like Mavericks fans right now? Do you want to wake up one day to find your star wearing the wrong colors, your franchise gutted by a decision made in the name of “win-now” but ultimately leaving the fanbase empty-handed? It’s a tough question, but it’s one Phoenix might soon have to answer.

Knowing the Suns will make a move this week, don’t expect it to work for both the short-term and long-term like the Lakers or Mavericks.

The Suns are out front, suspiciously calm as they mow their lawn, trying to keep up appearances, while the backyard is a chaotic mess. It’s overgrown with weeds, barbed wire, glass shards, Legos…and for some reason, a random toilet sitting right in the middle of it all. That’s the state of the Suns as we gear up for the trade deadline.