Grading The Trade Deadline Moves Of The Phoenix Suns

The Suns were very busy during the trade deadline on Thursday afternoon, shipping out five players while getting five other players in return and numerous draft picks in separate three trades.

Let’s go into detail on the trades.

Sep 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (left) and brother Zoran Dragic pose for a portrait during media day at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1: Dragic brothers heat to South Beach

This was something we knew was going to go down after all the talk about Goran Dragic being upset with his role on the Suns. He was finally traded to the Miami Heat, as well as his brother, Zoran, for shooting forward Danny Granger and two first round picks.

The New Orleans Pelicans were also involved in this trade as well, sending shooting forward John Salmons to Phoenix and received point guard Norris Cole, center Justin Hamilton and forward Shawne Williams from the Heat.

This was a necessary move by the Suns who knew Dragic wasn’t going to re-sign next year so they needed to get something out of him and they are working to build up for the future.

The Heat when they are fully now have a good starting five with Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Dragic, Luol Deng and they can rotate the fifth player around. The Heat are trying to get the most out their talent while they still can and the Pelicans got a couple of bench players in this deal.

I give the Suns a B on this deal. They lost a great player but got two first round draft picks and will be able to build for the future.

Feb 11, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Brandon Knight (11) drives for the basket in front of Sacramento Kings guard Ramon Sessions (9) during the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

2:  Brandon Knight with the Suns

This was a good deal by the Suns as they got Knight and Kendall Marshall from the Bucks, while the Bucks got center Miles Plumlee and point guard Tyler Ennis from the Suns and Michael Carter-Williams from the Sixers. The Sixers received multiple draft picks from the trade.

I really like the Knight addition and he could play shooting guard and put Eric Bledsoe at the point guard. I don’t like that the Sixers got rid of one their better players. The Bucks got a great young player in Williams and a good couple of bench if not decent players who could potentially start.

I give the Suns a B+ because they filled the void that Dragic left with Knight.

Jan 6, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek talks to guard Isaiah Thomas (3) in the third quarter during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

3: Isaiah Thomas to the Celtics

This was the weird move by the Suns as they sent Thomas to the Celtics and received a 2016 first round draft pick and Marcus Thornton. The Pistons were in this trade too sending forward Jonas Jerebko and forward Luigi Datome to Boston and received forward Tayshaun Prince from Celtics.

I don’t like the trade on the merit that the Suns spent so much on him only to trade him. It really didn’t make sense to me but the deal was already done so no point in arguing about it. I gave this deal a C-, the first round pick did save it from going to a D.

Overall, I do like what the Suns did as they try to build toward the future with a lot of these trades. I give them a B grade overall.