The Phoenix Suns have been the center of trade drama over the last few weeks. There have been recent rumors about acquiring forward Jimmy Butler to replace Bradley Beal. This has been the main story around this team, but it ultimately silences another issue. The Phoenix Suns center room is by far the worst in the association, and that is a fact. The Suns have to have some available trade targets in mind. Regardless, if you look at the stats or watch even half of a quarter, you see the apparent issues in their frontcourt. Whether it’s injuries, missed layups, or defensive rating, it’s evident that the Suns needed additional help at center. That said, Phoenix does not have much to trade for a center, so options are limited.
Jusuf Nurkic, their starter, has been sent to the bench due to his awful play. Veteran Mason Plumlee has had to step up and has shown glimpses, but he is not a long-term solution. Rookie Oso Ighodaro has impressed the most some, more than what was expected from the rookie. Though this is the case, the second-round pick does not present the size or ability to be a starting-level center at this point in his career. Therefore, Phoenix is stuck trying to find a way out of this mess. So, let’s dive and look at some possible Suns trade targets.
Top Centers The Phoenix Suns Should Target
What Do They Need?
At this rate, the Suns need anyone to suit up and protect the paint for at least 25 minutes a night. That would be key if they can find a guy who can be an interior defensive presence that can protect the rim. The Suns need someone who can sit inside the paint and be a beast. With other teams across the Western Conference having top-tier big men, the Suns will need one to match, even if he is not at that caliber of talent. Phoenix’s three centers this season have yet to show the consistency that the team needs, so a move is necessary.
Potential Fits
It seems that multiple centers will be available at this trade deadline. This is certainly appealing to the Suns, but with some trade restrictions, some of these centers may be off-limits. Since Phoenix is in the second apron, they cannot aggregate salaries or take more money back in a trade. With that being stated, let’s look at some Suns trade targets.
Robert Williams III
Will the Suns get a target center from the Trail Blazers, and if so, will they get a viable center back this time? They also acquired Nurkic from Portland. That is the first question that comes to mind when considering Robert Williams III. Williams III is exactly what the Suns need. Rim protection and shot blocking are his specialty. The main concern though is his injury history. Williams III has been known to be injured almost every season, and the same goes for this year.
He has suited up for the Blazers in only 12 games this season. In those games, he has been effective in what he does, averaging 6.6 points, five rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. His contract this year is for $12.4 million, which may require a third team for the Suns to make a deal. When he’s healthy, he is effective, but is this a solution for a Suns team that is always hurt?
Nick Richards
Many Suns fans, including myself, have been interested in the big man from Charlotte, with most wanting him to hop back on that jet to Phoenix with the team following their loss to the Hornets. Nick Richards has been an impactful backup and starter for Charlotte in his five years there. He has been injured this season but is averaging 9.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 20 outings. On Tuesday night, he also put on a masterclass show versus the Suns weakened frontcourt. Richards put up 15 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks and put on an audition for the squad. His contract is pretty cheap too, with him being owed $5 million this year and next. This would be the perfect low-budget big to go in on, as he would fit what the Suns need desperately: any type of rim protection and defense.
Duop Reath
Ending this article will be the bottom loaf of the Trail Blazers trade sandwich. In my eyes, this is the ideal player for the Suns to be interested in for a trade. Duop Reath was a solid backup big for the Blazers last year but has fallen out of the rotation due to their excess of centers. The Blazers have Williams III, ex-Sun Deandre Ayton, and rookie Donovan Clingan. That said, the Blazers should be inclined to move off the 28-year-old. With his contract being even more straightforward to trade for around $2 million this season and next, this screams for Phoenix to make an offer. Also last season for Reath was a solid one as a rookie for a rebuilding Blazers team. Just take the flyer on him!
The Final Scoop
At the end of the day, the Suns need some center help. Whether it is one of these guys listed or someone else, it needs to be addressed immediately. The Suns trade targets may have many teams interested but one thing remains. Even if the Suns get a Jimmy Butler deal done, this issue will still remain, and that is a larger problem for Phoenix.
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