Jalen Green
Proposed blockbuster Suns trade sees Phoenix move on from Jalen Green, land $197 million superstar originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Advertisement
The Phoenix Suns currently sit in a decent spot in the playoff race, with a record of 43-35 and seventh in the Western Conference. That puts them at the top of the Play-In Tournament, but not good enough to be a true contender. All the teams ahead of the Suns have two co-stars with great synergy that the team can rally around; for Phoenix, Devin Booker and Jalen Green don’t have that.
With that in mind, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley proposes that the Suns make a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, moving on from Jalen Green to land superstar guard Ja Morant. Morant is a better playmaker than Green, and gives Phoenix a true point guard to pair with Booker.
MORE: Cavaliers predicted to reunite with LeBron James for farewell tour season, sign him to one-year deal
The trade would look like this:
Advertisement
Suns get: PG Ja Morant
Grizzlies get: SG Jalen Green, C Khaman Maluach, 2027 first-round pick (via CLE, MIN or UTA)
“That’s the thing with this Suns’ season. The fight has been fun to be see, and the vibes appear in good shape, but the end game is either hard to gauge or quietly depressing. Slow-and-steady culture-setting just doesn’t align with Booker’s window to win, but Phoenix’s picked-apart asset collection limits the options for acceleration. Hence why the Suns seem like a legitimate possibility for Morant. They just won’t otherwise have access to a player of his caliber. And they desperately need an injection of talent if they want any hope of winning big while Booker is still in his prime,” Buckley wrote.
MORE: Lakers star Austin Reaves gets $241 million contract update ahead of possible free agency
Before Morant was shut down for the season, he was averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and a steal in 28.5 minutes per game. He’d see an uptick in minutes with Phoenix, and his stats are bound to get better as well.
Advertisement
If the Suns lost in the Play-In or get bounced easily in the first round, this is a trade they need to consider. Booker’s clock is slowly ticking, so if they want to win now, getting Morant is a must.
MORE NBA CONTENT
Pistons All-Star Jalen Duren gets $200 million contract update ahead of restricted free agency