The situation in the West has changed drastically this season, last year was still struggling for playoff places but finally failed the Warriors are currently 28 wins and 7 losses, the record is high in the league, more terrifying is that Thompson has fully recovered, will usher in a comeback in the next 1-2 games, as long as Thompson recovers 7 success, the strength of the Warriors will be greatly improved, which is not good news for the Suns, last year's Finals of the Sun, this season's performance is more stable, currently 28 wins and 8 losses in the league second, Only 0.5 wins behind the Warriors, but they are 1-2 against the Warriors in the regular season, and as the biggest potential opponent in the playoffs, the Suns need to continue to improve the team's strength.
This season, the Suns' lineup is balanced, especially the front line, Bridges + Johnson + Crowder, are very good 3D players, but they are not without weaknesses, the team is still relatively single in the configuration of the inside line, Ayton and McGee are traditional centers, no outside projection ability, traverse is also flawed, in the small lineup will be targeted by the opponent, the original team has Saric and Kaminsky two space-type interior line, but this season both suffered serious injuries, return at least until the end of the season, Whether their form will be able to adapt to the more intense playoffs is still unknown, Paul is getting older, this season is the best opportunity to compete for the title, and the only way to seize it is through trade.
Kaminsky's contract only has a base salary, basically no transaction value, Saric is an all-round inside player, there is projection, there is a certain strategy to hold the ball, the movement is not slow, but his injury is a pre-cruciate ligament tear, after returning from injury can return to what level is unknown, want to complete the transaction can only pack some positive assets, just the recent outbreak of Jaylen Smith can become a good deal chip, Smith is the 10th pick in 2020, 2 meters 08 tall, physical fitness is explosive, Rebounding ability is strong, there is still a lot of shooting potential, but the Suns originally had enough inside players, Smith did not get the focus of training, recently due to Ayton and McGee triggered the health and safety agreement, he only got the opportunity to play, the last 4 games, he averaged 26 minutes per game, contributed 16 points, 10.5 boards and 1.3 caps, shooting 56.1%, very efficient.
The Suns have previously rejected Smith's third year of team options due to salary pressure, that is to say, he will become a free agent after this season, even if he plays well, when Ayton and McGee return, the Suns who are determined to compete for the title will not give young Smith too many opportunities to make mistakes, so taking advantage of the recent price, the package trade is the best choice, just on the Rockets side, the Theth introduced in the offseason did not complete a good integration with the team, Theiss is an experienced and peak player, he is 2 meters 03 tall , but a swing man in the fourth and fifth positions, good at blocking and dismantling, but also has the ability to shoot outside, especially defensively can be competent for multiple positions, perfectly matching the needs of the Suns.
Thesis instead of struggling with the Rockets, it is better for the two sides to break up peacefully, after all, Theiss has also signed a 4-year, 36 million contracts, to the Suns there is still a chance to compete for the championship, the Rockets and the Suns If a deal is reached, the Suns can send Saric + Smith + second-round draft picks, get the Rockets' Theis, in order to match the contract, the Rockets can also send Nuwaba, who is also not suitable for the current rebuilding lineup, Nuwaba's defense can make the Suns' rotation lineup more deep, the Rockets get Smith, The recent performance shows that he can be based in the league, can further enhance the talent of the team, his black and hard attributes in the future and Shen Jing partner inside line is very interesting, Saric's contract is only 1 year next year, the state is good can be renewed, the state is not good directly give up and there is no loss, it is definitely a win-win choice.