With The New CBA Rule 3 Player Suns Intent Signing Before Deadline
Who are some contributors the Suns can bring in after the trade deadline?
PHOENIX — The trade deadline is fast approaching – and the Phoenix Suns have a number of players they could acquire the services of prior to Thursday’s deadline.
The Suns could decide to hit the buyout market in the search for veterans who can help the roster regardless of moves (or lack thereof) made by Thursday afternoon.
The Suns do have a specific handicap in the buyout phase: they cannot sign any player that gets bought out with a salary over $12 million due to being a second apron team under the new CBA.
That automatically eliminates the possibility of bringing in a big fish such as Gordon Hayward – were he to be bought out by the Charlotte Hornets.
Three players that could be both potential buyout candidates and fits with Phoenix:
1: Thaddeus Young
Young has been linked to the Suns for several years now – and for good reason.
The versatile big man is known for being an all-around force, even with age based regression.
Young shrinks the floor in half-court settings and is clearly not the defender he once was.
He remains a quality passer, connector, and high-IQ team defender – especially in a team infrastructure such as the Suns’.
Phoenix could do far worse than Young as an alternative to Drew Eubanks off the bench.
The roadblock in acquiring the current Raptor is the fact that he’s been a regular fixture in the team’s rotation for the better part of a month due to various trades and injuries. Toronto may simply feel the need to retain Young’s services for the remainder of the season.
2: Danilo Gallinari
Gallinari is another potential name that won’t be a game-changer for the Suns, but could certainly be of service.
The veteran forward was recently traded to the Detroit Pistons and could have the opportunity to seek a title-winning situation after missing the entire 2022-23 season with a torn ACL.
Gallinari’s days as a near 20-PPG scorer are finished – but the forward from Italy still has some left in the tank.
The recently minted Piston scored 20 points and hit four three-pointers in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan 31 – a testament to the value he can provide still – in small doses.
Gallinari’s close relationship with Devin Booker could also play a potential role in this being a possibility, were Gallo to be bought out.
3: P.J. Tucker
Tucker has been linked to Phoenix as a potential fit for years now as well, much like Young. He spent 4.5 seasons in Phoenix before being traded to Toronto at the trade deadline in 2017.
Tucker is is another example of someone that isn’t the same player they once were, but he still brings much needed leadership, toughness, and the occasional big shot that a team such as the Suns can use.
The roadblock in this scenario is Tucker would be unlikely to forego the remainder of the 3-yr, $30 million dollar contract he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in the summer of 2022.
No one the Suns can target in the buyout market will be a game changer, but one of these three names could certainly play a role in enhancing a roster that continues to look stronger by the day – in the pursuit of bringing a championship to Phoenix.