Phoenix Suns

After Thaddeus Young was acquired by the Spurs, there was some speculation that the Phoenix Suns could be interested in adding him to their roster and in August, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Suns were interested in pursuing Young.

Given the Spurs want to move a player, likely one they acquired in the sign-and-trade deal involving DeRozan, it seems reasonable to believe that the Phoenix Suns could get a deal done for Thad Young, but who knows what the Spurs would want in exchange for him.

Without giving up key assets like Mikal Bridges or Cameron Johnson, the only trade package that comes to mind that Phoenix can make work financially is if the Suns traded away Dario Saric, Jalen Smith and a draft pick or two. Saric is currently rehabbing from ACL surgery, so the Spurs may not even be interested in him, and Jalen Smith was a lottery pick last year who did not play much during his rookie year. 

Smith definitely has potential to develop into an athletic big man who can be a stretch big man in multiple rotations, but he is still very raw and still needs plenty of time to develop. San Antonio could be a great landing spot for the young big man, but he may not be enough value for the Spurs to take back in a trade to move Thaddeus Young. 

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After all, Young could be a great mentor to some of the young core pieces on the Spurs roster already, so if they are to trade him, they will have to be getting a decent return from the Phoenix Suns.

The Phoenix Suns have put an emphasis on adding some more frontcourt talent and since Jae Crowder is not really a “true” power-forward, they could be getting that final championship piece they need by making this trade with San Antonio.