Suns Shed Dead Weight, Improve Instantly in Mock Trade

The Phoenix Suns enter another busy offseason after quickly exiting out of the NBA postseason, and there's opportunity for some serious shake up here in the Valley.

There's already been some lofty changes, starting with owner Mat Ishbia taking over the team back in early February. Less than 24 hours after his introductory press conference, superstar Kevin Durant was on his way to Phoenix.

Less than 48 hours after Phoenix's exit from the playoffs, head coach Monty Williams was relieved of his duties.

It feels as if the Suns will continue to contemplate change, especially on a roster where nobody outside of Durant and Devin Booker should feel comfortable. Phoenix has nine players ready to hit free agency in some capacity, and trade rumors around Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul are still prevalent.

In this mock trade completed by Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz, Ayton and another fan favorite (sarcasm intended) are shipped to the Atlanta Hawks for some much needed help.

Suns Shed Dead Weight, Improve Instantly in Mock Trade

Phoenix Suns Receive: C Clint Capela, SG Bogdan Bogdanović

Atlanta Hawks Receive: C Deandre Ayton, SG Landry Shamet

"With Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, the Suns need to continue to add depth, rebounding, defense and shooting around their stars," said Swartz.

"While Ayton has All-Star potential, his touches will be limited if he stays in Phoenix given the amount of offensive talent already on the roster.

"Capela gives Phoenix a rim-running, glass-cleaning center who doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective. Bogdanović is the ideal sixth man for this group, able to score or facilitate for others depending on who's on the floor.

"Ayton can thrive in Atlanta, playing pick-and-roll off of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray all game long while expanding his overall game. Shamet gives this roster more shooting around the star guards as well."

It's hard to imagine Suns fans would be terribly upset with this. Ayton and Shamet are arguably the two most-despised here in the Valley, and their departures wouldn't really be met with much hesitation.

On the receiving end, Bogdanović would be a solid shooter to add to the rotation while Capela would likely occupy the paint much better than Ayton, though he isn't anywhere near the offensive player that Ayton showed he can be.

Yet the Suns need change, and this trade could be a great step in the right direction.