PHOENIX SUNS

It’s time for Mat Ishbia to put his pride aside and wave the white flag. The number one priority for the suns should be to acquire their own picks back (from Houston) to give themselves the right to their own future. Phoenix should be looking to add high upside young talent, as well as building up their draft capital. Jalen Green and MPJ still have all-star potential and would most likely be the best player assets that phoenix could land in exchange for booker and durant. The draft assets the suns are getting in return aren’t great but that’s what happens when you are forced to trade one of your best players (KD) with no leverage. Phoenix should focus on hiring a good head coach and building organically through the draft, while also acquiring draft capital from salary dumps whenever possible.

Notable young players: Jalen Green, Michael Porter Jr, Cam Whitmore, Peyton Watson, Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

It’s clear that Houston is missing a perimeter shot-creator to bolster their halfcourt offense, especially in late game situations. Jalen Green was supposed to be that guy for this squad but his inconsistency and inexperience is just simply not gonna get it done. Devin Booker has proven to be capable of leading a team to the finals as the best player on the team and his fit on the rockets would be seamless. This trade would immediately improve the offense without sacrificing much defense and athleticism. The team is still deep after the trade and I believe reed is ready to be a big contributor next season. This move might not get Houston over the jump straight away but Booker is only 28 and this team will be able to contend for the next couple seasons (think of it as their version of the Donovan Mitchell trade).

Potential starting lineup:

PG: Reed/FVV

SG: Booker

SF: Brooks

PF: Amen

C: Sengun

DENVER NUGGETS

Assuming a disappointing loss in the first round, the nuggets will have to start having uncomfortable conversations about their roster. I believe Michael Porter Jr would be the odd man out between the big 4 because he’s the only player that would allow Denver to add significant assets. Kevin Durant is a supercharged version of MPJ and has shown he can still be a top 15 guy. KD would have an absolute field day playing off of Nikola Jokic’s gravity, similarly to his days playing with Steph Curry on the warriors. Nick Richards would also come in and instantly be the best backup the nuggets have ever had in the Nikola Jokic era and would at least patch up SOME of the nuggets biggest weakness (non Jokic minutes). Despite the risks of trading for 37 year old Kevin Durant on the last year of his deal, the sheer talent upgrade could put Denver back into real contender status like the Jimmy Butler warriors trade, and the nuggets ownership owe it to Jokic to give him another real shot at the title.

Potential starting lineup:

PG: Jamal Murray

SG: Christian Braun

SF: Kevin Durant

PF: Aaron Gordon

C: Nikola Jokic