The Phoenix Suns have gone all-in, trading their valuable 2031 first-round pick to the Utah Jazz in exchange for three first-round picks. These include the worst first-round picks from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves in 2025, as well as the worst picks from the Cavaliers, Timberwolves, and Jazz in 2027 and 2029. Essentially, the Suns have acquired three strictly protected first-round picks, which can only be the worst available.
But why would the Suns make such a move? It's no secret that they want Jimmy Butler. However, the specifics of how this might happen are unclear, with multiple US journalists reporting that a potential trade involving Butler could involve four teams. The Miami Heat are not interested in acquiring Bradley Beal, who has a trade veto power and is only willing to waive it for the Lakers, Clippers, and Bucks. Among them, the Bucks are the team Beal wants to join, as he wishes to team up with Damian Lillard.
Regardless, the Suns have made it clear that they are not backing down. Their options are limited, as both the Houston Rockets and the Jazz have cut off their retreat. US journalist Trevor Lane commented after the Suns' trade, suggesting that the Jazz engaged in the trade because, like the Rockets, they do not have high hopes for the Suns' future. They believe that after the Kevin Durant era, the Suns will fall into darkness, making their draft picks highly lucrative. Currently, the Rockets own the Suns' draft picks in 2025, 2027, and 2029, with the 2029 first-round pick and swap rights being the best among the Suns and Dallas Mavericks, operating in the opposite direction of the Suns.
Now, with the 2031 first-round pick also taken by the Jazz and unprotected, this means that from 2025 to 2031, the Suns will have no assets for rebuilding. They have pushed themselves into a corner, where failure is not an option. After all, the Suns' three superstars each earn 50millionthisseason,andtheteam′stotalexpenditureis220 million, plus a luxury tax of 188million,exceeding400 million. This surpasses the Golden State Warriors' previous spending record, making the Suns the first NBA team to spend over $400 million.
Heat journalist Ira Winderman reported that after the Suns' trade, they viewed it as a solid step towards acquiring Butler. The Suns now have the eligibility to trade for Butler, can package their acquired first-round picks, and offer any player from their roster except for Durant and Booker to the Heat. The Heat journalist also acknowledged that the final trade could involve four teams. As for the Rockets and Jazz, they are currently observing from the sidelines.
It is evident that the Suns are aiming to go all-out for the next two to three years, taking advantage of the tail end of Durant's prime. Durant, born in 1988, is nearing 40 years old. Butler, born in 1989, is also not young, with only Booker still in his prime. Therefore, the Suns' championship window is indeed limited to these few years, and there is no turning back. The Suns are like gamblers who can no longer afford to stop; their only option is to keep betting. It's unrealistic to suggest that the Suns should sell Durant and Booker now.
If they manage to acquire Butler, the Suns' starting lineup would be Jones at point guard, Booker at shooting guard, Butler at small forward, Durant at power forward, and Richards at center. This lineup is quite strong in theory, capable of making a championship push if healthy, with each position well-suited. However, it remains to be seen what the ultimate outcome will be. The Rockets are not in a hurry; the Suns' 2025 draft pick is not valuable, so they will wait until 2027, and if that doesn't work out, they have 2029. The Rockets will eventually get what they want. Just like when the Brooklyn Nets assembled their Big Three, it didn't last long before disbanding, already bringing in Jalen Green and the third overall pick Jalen Duren for the Rockets.