NBA Trade Rumors: Phoenix Suns Must Make Trade For A Big Man

After a infuriating loss to Milwaukee Bucks, the Phoenix Suns are on a six-game losing streak that has dropped their record  to 12-14 and the ninth spot in the Western Conference.  For a team that was expected to be in the playoff this season, there is an extreme sense of urgency developing in Phoenix.

One of the biggest reasons for their latest losing streak is the Suns inability to play defense.  The Suns are ranked 26th in points allowed and during the last six games, they have given up more than 100 points on five occasions.

So why are the Suns so terrible on defense?  The answer lies in the paint.  The Suns lack a big man who can control the boards and command respect down low.  Without that presence in the paint, Phoenix figures to be just another Western Conference also-ran.

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The problem seems dire but the Suns can still fix it and right the ship.

With the NBA trade deadline a couple of months away, the Suns first set of trade eligible players became available on Dec. 15 and guard Isaiah Thomas is among them. Phoenix signed Thomas to a contract this offseason as part of a three-man, all-star guard rotation.

Initially the plan was to increase the Suns ability to score the rock.  Despite having the sixth most productive offense in The Association, it has been defense that has held the team back from solidifying themselves as a legitimate playoff contender.

Thomas could attract a quality big man who can defend and score in the post. Both Alex Len and Miles Plumlee have been disappointing in the middle and their slow development has cost the team early on this season. With P.J. Tucker and Anthony Tolliver also available as early trade bait, there is plenty of room for the Suns to get creative and still fill a need.

Thomas isn’t the only one of their three-headed backcourt monster that can be traded.  Zoran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe can also be dealt but aren’t eligible until after the three-month waiting period expires at the end of the month.  Players cannot be traded within three-month of signing a new deal. Dragic and Bledsoe have bigger names and may be able to get better return for the Suns in a trade.

Trading newly signed players seems a bad thing to do for team chemistry but Suns fans won’t tolerate losing in a season with such high expectations.  Some kind of shake-up has to happen to get the Suns back on track, otherwise they will probably find themselves once again on the outside looking in come playoff time.