Anonymous Exec Believes Suns, Lakers Could Swap Stars
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It's been awhile since the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers did business.
The two teams last traded assets in 2012, when Phoenix sent Steve Nash to Los Angeles in exchange for a slew of draft picks which would include 2018's selection of Mikal Bridges (Basketball-Reference).
Both teams have found success within the last three seasons. The Lakers were able to make the most out of the league's bubble postseason and capture a championship, while the Suns went to the NBA Finals the following year before falling short of keeping the title within the Pacific division.
Now, both squads look to again be in the spotlight. One anonymous executive believes the two teams could swap superstars.
Heavy.com’s Sean Deveney spoke to a Western Conference executive who could see a possible deal where Anthony Davis gets sent to Phoenix for a package containing Deandre Ayton and Cameron Johnson.
“Phoenix would be an interesting fit too, once Ayton can be traded,” the executive said.
“They could do Cam Johnson and Ayton, something like that. I am sure some in L.A. would expect a big return for Davis but with the injuries the last few years, it would be tough to trade him. There’s a lot of reasons why they’d keep him but that is one – you’re not going to get fair value because of the injuries.”
Both Ayton and Davis are former No. 1 overall picks with hefty price tags attached to them. Ayton recently had a four-year, $133 million offer sheet matched, and Davis still has three years left on a deal that will see him make $43.2 million in 2024.
Ayton, of course, can't be traded until Jan. 15 as part of the offer sheet that was matched within minutes by the Suns. Ayton also has veto powers for a full year on any potential trade.
The only way this makes sense for Phoenix is if they're trying to push all their chips to the middle of the table for this season. Davis, on a team with Paul and Booker, would instantly improve the odds of a NBA Finals appearance at minimum.
Even then, for a team that's accomplished so much in the last two years, they feel as if they can make do with what's already in the kitchen.
“Deandre is a force on both ends of the floor, who has elevated his game every year and will continue to do so,” said General Manager James Jones in a press release from the team. “DA is so important to what we do and without him we could not have reached our recent levels of success. We are excited to keep Deandre at home in the Valley where he belongs."
Would Suns fans do this trade?
Most will say: Absolutely not. Phoenix has done a nice job compiling their talent and to trade two of their most valuable (and youthful) assets for Davis (who turns 30 next March) doesn't sit well with most Suns fans.
One would think the actual organization agrees.
This trade is unlikely to materialize, but if one anonymous exec believes it could be a possibility, we've seen crazier things happen in this league.
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