The Phoenix Suns Should Be Buyers At The Trading Deadline
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the best teams in the NBA over the last two seasons.
They made the NBA Finals in 2021 and had the best record in the league in 2022 (64-18).
That said, they have had an up-and-down 2022-23 season and have also dealt with injuries (Devin Booker has not played since Christmas).
Despite their mediocre year, which has them at 27-26 in 53 games, they should be buyers with the NBA Trading Deadline approaching (February 9).
Why?
For starters, they have one of the best rosters in the league (when fully healthy) and got off to a 16-7 start in their first 23 games.
The Western Conference has been extremely tight, as the third seed and tenth seed are only separated by 4.0 games.
In addition, the Suns have been playing without crucial role player Jae Crowder (Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported before the season that he would mutually be away from the team while they look to trade him).
Recently, Charania (on FanDuel TV) reported that they have an offer on the table from the Milwaukee Bucks.
Crowder averaged 9.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals per contest in 67 games for the Suns last season.
He has value on the trade market, and the Suns will likely get something good in return for him (there is no reason for them to keep him).
Even if moving on from Crowder is all they end up doing, it still makes them a better team.
Right now, there is no reason to believe that the Suns are not a contender like they have been the last two seasons.
Therefore, the Suns should keep their eyes open for deals to make and be buyers at the upcoming trade deadline.
