Phoenix Suns Receive: G D’Angelo Russell

Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G Chris Paul

With this deal, the Phoenix Suns are conceding something uncomfortable: their current arrangement wasn’t built to last.

Timing is as important a factor as any other in this league. At 37, Chris Paul is well off the timeline of teammates Ayton (23) and Devin Booker (25). On the other hand, 26-year-old D’Angelo Russell is decidedly one of their peers.

This Timberwolves trade probably makes the Suns worse next year. However, it gives them an opportunity to let a young core on a comparable timeline gel. In a few short years, a group of Ayton, Booker, Russell, and Mikal Bridges may be able to get the Suns to a similar position as the one they’ve been in recently.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves make this trade to facilitate the same leap the Suns took with Paul at the helm. Even at his advanced age, he should be an upgrade over Russell on both ends of the floor.

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If the Timberwolves are ready to advance past the first round of the playoffs, this should be an appealing move for their front office.