Hi All,

Bringing you an original idea today that see's the Wizards and Suns push to get better before the trad edeadline. Addressing some key roster issues in search of making a major improvement befor ethe playoffs. Here's a breakdown of what the tarde means for each team and why they make it.

Suns: I think the bubble has sort of burst in Phoenix, a 64 win team last year, sustained injuries have highlighted how thin this roster is and the overdue plight of Chris Paul. Thus, instead of moving on from an undoubtably important dressing room presence, essentially blowing up this season they retool, cashing in a potentially draft pick to add depth to the roster in the right places and push to compete in a wide open West. The main acquisition for the Suns is Kyle Kuzma (They make this move pending an extension agreement/Kuzma inferring he's happy to sign long term with the Suns). Kuzma has had a breakout year thus far, socring at over 20 PPG for the first time in his career, rebounding with vigour and even playmaking in DC. Bringing him into Phoenix would represent an all around upgrade to Cam Johnson at the 4 spot. He helps them on the boards, is a better transition player than Johnson, can create for himself on the ball and I think he's a better matchup than Cam against elite wing/forward players in the post season. That being said, Cam would remain a valuable member of the rotation, essentially performing as a sixth man, slotting in for Kuzma, Bridges or even for one of Paul or Booker to add spacing and size to the floor. On top of the Kuzma acquisition the Suns would be bringing in Monte Morris, Monte would serve as a major upgrade for Cam Payne as the third guard in the rotation, performing a similar role to Paul, linking up with Ayton in the picking role and feeding their outside shooters. Payne hasn't been the same since the 20-21 season, he's at 51% TS this year and at 6ft 1 and 185 lbs he's not a plus on defence. Bringing in Morris would allow CP3 to rest up, there'd be less of a drop off with Paul and Booker off the court, especially in tandum with Kuzma. The Suns, in part to make the money work and to add a final piece to the deal send out Landry Shamet and bring back in Chris Duarte. I keep getting attacked by Pacers fans for trading him but he's on the periphery of the rotation, I think it's clear that with the addition of Mathurin and form of Buddy Hield it's time for pastures new. Duarte would get a new start in Phoenix and be a key piece in the bench rotation providing shooting and ability to attack off a closeout. In the event that Duarte doesn't work out the Suns have him on a cheap contract that's useful going forward. This isn't a move without risk for the Arizona based team, they move two of their own 1st's which potentially counts them out of a star trade next year but a roster built around a 37 year old PG kind of has to push some chips into the mix when the season isn't going to plan.

The Suns would line up like this with the following bench rotation: PG: Paul, SG: Booker, SF: Bridges, PF: Kuzma, C: Ayton, sixth man: Johnson, big minute contributors: Morris, Duarte, rounding out the rotation, Landale, Craig, Lee, Biyombo, Payne

As you can see, the roster is far more insulated against injury and has increased firepower, this kind of midseason rejuvination could go a long way to freshening up the camp and helping the Suns challenge in a wide open West.

Wizards: The Wizards rebalance their roster with this trade, swapping a star forward for a star guard which makes sense given the amount of 3's and 4's on the roster. VanVleet is clearly the main acquistion here, a championship winner, former allstar who could come in and spark a shift in the culture. VanVleet is the consumate professional and his leadership could help spurn a traditionally underperforming franchise. On the court he makes sense, he's a high level volume shooter who shares the ball around and can operate both on and off the ball. Despite his size he holds his own defensively, with Kristapz to sweep up on the backline and strong defenders like Avdija and Crowder they can afford to have an undersized back court.

I think given the fact that Kuz could leave in summer this is a good long term move for the Wiz, they swap out Kyle who's expressed some disatisfaction at being in Washington over the course of the season, for a slightly older PG who can co-lead the franchise on a long term extension that the Wizards would sign him to. On top of bringing in FVV the Wizards would also rescue Jae Crowder from the Suns, bringing in another vet who can steady the ship and help lead them into the post season. Everyone knows what Crowder is about, a professional who can knock down shots, defend at a decent level and overall just be relied upon to not mess up. He could be a useful acquisition next to younger 3/4's like Deni and Rui. I thought the roster looked light on guard depth given the departure of Barton who's dropped off badly this year hence the inclusion of Malachi Flynn (this also keeps the roster spots even while getting the Wizards under the tax too.

(If I was Tommy Shepard my focus would be on a hard reset. I think the roster's done in terms of upward trajectory so best to sell of Kuzma, Beal, Porzingis for pick based packages but they want to win now as a franchise so this is how I see them doing it.)

Raptors:

Pretty simple one for the Raptors. I think given the composition of the roster they should trade Fred at the deadline despite his quality as a player. The Raptors need to work towards acquiring a more dynamic 1 for me, either someone whop can get to the rim as well as space or a lights out high volume 3 point shooter. Their team should be built on the proviso that Scottie will have a lot of the ball as will a quality PG in the future and for me Fred isn't a championship co-ball handler next to Barnes.

On a seperate note I'd love to see the Raptors target Maxey, Simmons, Poole as young flamethrower guards to pair with an otehrwise defensive roster for the long term, or if they want to go all in, a move for Dame could make sense. Anyway...

The other reason to move Fred is to maintain upward mobility. In the next two years, OG, Pascal, Trent and Fred will need extending pushing this sub championship core into the luxury tax. I think a bigger sale needs to take place in order to restore championship potential to the team north of the border but it starts with Fred. In this trade they acquire expiring salary and a potentially valuable 1st round pick in next year's draft. It saves them money and allow sthem two strong picks in a deep draft class, helping to reshape the roster for the next few years.

Pacers:

Last one! This might look strange to Indianna but the crux of it is Indy isn't a FA destination, never has been. They're cheap and aren't going into the Lux tax any time soon. They don't need to try and win the championship next year given their young exciting core, this move lets them upgrade Duarte and the last pick in the 23 draft (as it stands) to role the dice and bank on the Suns maintaining their shoddy form through to next year. Given CP£ will be on the books and a new owner comes in I sugest that with the right luck this could end up being a high pick, further bolstering Indy's draft capital. The 2nd is a nice add and Shamet can come and fill in the spot minute sthat Duarte is playing until the end of next season where he'd become expiring money and I think the Pacers would be more ready to make a run at the East.

What a marathon read! If you've made it to the end please drop a like, and let me know your thoughts in the comments. Can't suspect I've missed anything in the writeups!