A contending NBA team is supposed to be light on assets. They’re supposed to have spent those assets to build their contender. If they’re sitting on assets, they should be active at the trade deadline.
The Phoenix Suns are light on assets. That makes sense. With Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal on their roster, how could they not be? Yet, unfortunately, the Suns haven’t necessarily looked like contenders this season.
With that said, they are rounding into form. The Suns have been playing better basketball lately. Perhaps that’s why they’re rumored to be seeking a defensive wing. The Suns won’t be able to afford a star. Could they afford Jae’Sean Tate of the Houston Rockets?
NBA Trade Proposal
Houston Rockets Receive: F Yuta Watanabe, F/C Drew Eubanks
Phoenix Suns Receive: F Jae’Sean Tate
With that said, we can’t divide the league’s teams strictly into contenders and rebuilding squads. There’s a middle ground. Some teams are trying to transition between those extremes.
The Rockets are one of those teams. There’s no Kevin Durant on this roster. The Rockets don’t have title aspirations in 2023-24. With that said, after signing Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks and hiring Ime Udoka, it’s clear that the Rockets are done rebuilding.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns Updates
What should they do next? The Rockets have been the subject of some major rumors lately. It’s been reported that they have an eye on Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets. Should they make a more incremental move instead?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
Yes. The Rockets shouldn’t be in the business of trading young players and draft capital for a fringe star. It’s too early for them to make those types of moves. The Rockets should be facilitating the growth of the young potential stars on this roster.
That means balancing their lineups. As constructed, the Rockets suffer from two main problems – a lack of floor spacing, and a lack of a capable backup big man. This deal aims to solve both problems.
Watanabe has seen his role reduced on the Suns, but he’s one of the best floor spacers in the league. Meanwhile, Eubanks is a solid defender who spaces the floor a little as well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns Updates
The Rockets are giving up the best player in this deal, but they’re improving their depth and likely improving in the aggregate. What are the Suns doing?
Why The Phoenix Suns Do The Deal
Adding the best player in this deal. Make no mistake – that’s who Tate is. He’s an aggressive multi-positional defender who can pressure the rim and make plays on the offensive end.
The Suns can afford him at this cost. They’re hardly playing Watanabe anyway. He can be a defensive liability. That’s fine for a Rockets team looking to earn a play-in appearance, but for the contending Suns, his shortcomings are too problematic.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns Updates
The Suns will miss Eubanks. At the same time, Chimezie Metu may suffice as their backup big. Phoenix could also look to the buyout market to upgrade – they could even reunite with Bismack Biyombo. If that sounds uninspiring, don’t blame us – the Suns are light on assets.
