Would this trade make sense for the Phoenix Suns?
When you are in win-now mode as the Phoenix Suns are, developing players is just not feasible. They used the No. 10 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft on Jalen Smith, but they cannot afford to wait for him to turn into an impact player.
Sure, Smith could turn into a very useful rotation piece, maybe even an All-Star down the line. But, he needs a lot of development and the Suns cannot provide that to him. They need a player that can help them win now, especially with Dario Saric sidelined. Thaddeus Young would fit that bill.
Young was one of the most sought-after players at the trade deadline, but the Chicago Bulls ended up holding onto him. Many analysts believed Chicago could get a first-round pick in exchange for him, so to acquire him without surrendering any future draft capital is a solid deal for Phoenix.
The Georgia Tech product would slot right into the backup big man spot that is left by Saric. While he isn’t the floor spacer that Saric is, Young is an excellent rebounder and efficient scorer. He made 55.9 percent of his shot attempts last season, which was a career-high.
Young also showcased some excellent playmaking abilities, averaging a career-high 4.3 assists per game. That will give the Suns’ offense an added dimension knowing they have another play capable of initiating offense and running some sets through.
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The defensive versatility that Young will provide is also important for Phoenix. They struggled to keep up with the Milwaukee Bucks when the teams went small. Young would give the Suns a versatile player they can insert as a small-ball center who can switch onto the perimeter when need be.
