Bruce Cooper: Suns offseason moves to be made

Surprising to some, myself included, and not so surprising to others the Suns appear set on committing to Chris Paul as their starting point guard for the 2023-24 season. A couple of noted NBA insiders are reporting such.  If, in fact, this is the case the Suns only untouchable remaining asset to trade in an effort to re-tool the roster is center Deandre Ayton.  Ayton is set to make $32-million dollars in salary next season.

There are four teams, Dallas, Atlanta, Washington and Portland, who reportedly have an interest in acquiring Ayton via trade this offseason.  It’s also being reported that the Suns would require an established player and a first round draft pick as compensation in an Ayton trade.  No question the Suns need to re-set their roster going forward. And using some of the reports as a guide I propose the following;

Suns trade Ayton to the Portland Trailblazers for 29-year old PF Jerami Grant (sign and trade player at 3 years $25-million per year) and 21-year old swing player Jabari Walker ($1.7-million non-guaranteed) and 3^rd overall pick in 2023 NBA draft. Portland has been rumored as willing to part with the third pick in this year’s draft.

Suns trade their second round 2023 draft pick (#52 overall) along with second round picks in 2024 and 2025 to the Charlotte Hornets for their 2023 second round picks (#39 overall and #41 overall). The Hornets have two first round picks in this years draft (#2, #27) along with three second round picks (#34, #39, #41). Too many rookies in one draft class has the Hornets willing to accept this trade.

2023 Suns Draft

First round #3 overall via Portland

Scoot Henderson—PG—G-League/Brandon Miller–SF—Arkansas (whoever Charlotte doesn’t take at #2 overall)

Second round #39 overall via Charlotte

Zach Edey—C—Purdue. Edey is 7’4 with requisite offensive skills and the ability to rebound, blocks shot and effect the game on the defensive end of the floor.  Also you can’t teach 7’4.  Edey has the option of pulling out of the draft and returning to Purdue for his senior year.

Second round #41 overall via Charlotte

Omari Moore—PG—San Jose State.  Moore is 6’6 possesses a nice handle.  Shows good court vision with the ability to whip passes to teammates from one side of the court to the other.  He can score from all three levels.

Recap the new additions:

Jerami Grant—6’8 PF—Sign and trade with Portland

Jabari Walker—6’7 Swing—Portland

Scoot Henderson—6’2 PG/Brandon Miller 6’7 SF via Portland

Zach Edey—7’4—C—Purdue

Omari Moore—6’6—PG—San Jose State