1. The Sun's Dilemma and the Way Out
As a powerhouse in the NBA West, the Suns' performance in the past two seasons has attracted many questions from fans. In the first round of the playoffs that just ended, the Suns were swept by the Timberwolves 0-2, and the team showed no resistance. This can't help but make people sigh that a strong team that once created a 56-16 record in the regular season and won the championship can now fall into such a situation. The reason for this is that in fact, the sun is in a difficult situation at home and abroad, and it urgently needs to be comprehensively adjusted.
In terms of internal contradictions, the team's triumvirate Booker, Durant and Beal's cooperation has always been a major hidden danger. Booker, as the core of the team, has stable stats, but his dominance and ability to drive the team have declined. Durant, on the other hand, is physically exhausted due to the need for over-reliance, and cannot perform at the right level in critical moments. As for Beal, he has been the team's weak link on the defensive end due to height and weight limitations. The three have their own strengths, but it is difficult to find the best combination.
In terms of external factors, defensive coach Vogel has also been criticized by fans, and Booker's off-court scandal has made matters worse. There is no doubt that in order to turn the tide of decline, it is not enough to rely on internal adjustments, and the team must be reinvented through big-money trades.
Bill Simmons, an authoritative figure in the American media, gave his own suggestion: the Suns should take the initiative to give up Booker, complete a 1-for-4 deal with the Pelicans, bring in McCollum, Murphy and two first-round picks, and continue to rebuild the team around Durant. This is undoubtedly a very bold and feasible plan, which deserves serious consideration by the management of Sun.
2. Trading blueprint: Booker for CJ + Murphy
Overall, the deal is indeed a win-win situation for both parties. For the Suns, bringing in McCollum and Murphy can effectively make up for the lack of interior strength, and the two first-round picks also provide bargaining chips for further construction. For the Pelicans, getting a top NBA scoring guard Booker will undoubtedly greatly improve the team's combat effectiveness and attractiveness.
Specifically, McCollum, as an excellent playmaker, has an excellent ball IQ and consistent scoring ability, which is exactly what the Suns desperately need. Although his height and weight are not dominant, his all-round skills can complement Beal very well, greatly improving the team's ability to control the tempo. In addition, Murphy, a rookie small forward, can also bring a lot of help to the Suns with his excellent athleticism and defensive awareness. As for those two first-round picks, they undoubtedly provide ample chips for the Suns' subsequent rebuilding plans.
At the same time, Booker's addition will also significantly change the landscape of the Pelicans. As one of the best scoring guards in the NBA, Booker can not only greatly improve the team's scoring ability, but also bring great help to the young core Ingram. Although the two teams have previously signed Booker, both sides have undoubtedly gained from this transaction.
However, we cannot ignore the potential pitfalls of this transaction. On the one hand, McCollum and Beal's height disadvantage could put a lot of pressure on the defensive end. On the other hand, how to fully stimulate Durant's potential on the offensive end will also be a key issue that the new coach needs to solve. Overall, the deal is undoubtedly a radical and risky venture, but if it can be implemented smoothly, it will surely usher in a new future for the Suns.
3. Rebuild around Durant
In fact, for the Suns to get out of the predicament completely, trading alone is not enough. More importantly, how to build a lineup that meets Durant's characteristics on this basis is the key.
First, while bringing in McCollum and Murphy, the Suns also need to look for a good defensive power forward to match Durant. This is essential to improve the current state of the team's defense. Consider bringing in some defensive interior players from free agency or developing promising stars through the second-round draft.
Second, on the coaching side, the Suns urgently need to bring in an offensive coach to lead the team. Vogel, as a defensive coach, is clearly no longer able to meet the needs of the team. Look for managers who excel at fast-paced offense, such as Duane Casey or Mike D'Antoni, who will be better able to unleash Durant's offensive talents.
Moreover, in the follow-up reinforcements, the Suns also need to focus on the introduction of three-point shooters. As a great all-around forward, Durant's reliance on a great three-pointer is self-evident. Therefore, strengthening the perimeter shooter is undoubtedly another key point in the Suns' rebuilding plan. Bringing in some players with excellent three-point shooting percentages through free agency or trade is bound to inject new momentum into Durant.
Overall, for the Suns to truly rebuild a championship team, it's not enough to rely on trades alone. They also need to comprehensively upgrade the coaching team, roster construction and other aspects in order to finally realize the new Nets with Durant as the core. This is undoubtedly a difficult and uncertain road, but as long as the management can take care of the balance, I believe that the sun will eventually return to its former glory.
Fourth, a new lineup is created
To truly realize the rebuild blueprint with Durant at its core, it is not enough to rely on a one-off deal. The Suns also need to make comprehensive planning and adjustments in many aspects such as roster structure and player construction to make this team truly become the top team in the league.
Player reinforcement: Interior defensive power forward
After bringing in McCollum and Murphy, the Suns' first priority was to strengthen their interior defense. Given Beal's disadvantage on the defensive end, it was imperative to bring in a good interior defender. From the perspective of free agency, you can look for some forwards with excellent physical conditions and strong defensive awareness, such as LeBron James, Kevin Love, etc. They are able to form an excellent offensive-defensive combination with Durant, which greatly improves the overall strength of the team. Of course, it would be a good choice if the Suns could unearth some potential defensive power forwards in the second-round draft.
Bringing in an attacking manager
Vogel, as a defensive coach, can no longer lead the Suns to the top. Therefore, the Suns need to bring in a coach who is good at building an offensive system to fully mobilize the team's offensive potential. The ideal candidate would be Duane Casey, who has shown excellent fast-paced offensive ability on teams such as the Raptors and Pistons. If not, consider bringing in a coach like Mike D'Antoni, believing that their tactical philosophy fits Durant's style perfectly. No matter who they choose, the Suns will find a coach who can lead the team to full evolution.
Introducing a three-point shooter
As an all-around forward, Durant's reliance on a great three-pointer is self-evident. Therefore, the Suns cannot ignore the introduction of outside shooters when strengthening the lineup. From a free agency perspective, it is possible to keep an eye out for some players with a high three-point shooting percentage, such as Joe Harris, Chris Middleton, etc. With their addition, it will definitely bring new opportunities for Durant's offense. Of course, if the Suns can bring in some promising three-pointers through trade or draft, it will undoubtedly be a good choice.
Nurturing rookies
In addition to the above core strategies, the Suns must not ignore the cultivation of player echelons in their future development. With two first-round picks in their hands, the Suns are more than capable of identifying some future key players in the draft. This can not only inject new blood into Durant's later years, but also lay the foundation for the long-term development of the team.
For example, if the Suns can get a good young power forward in the draft, they can not only form a good succession plan with Durant, but also fill the defensive shortcomings on the inside. Of course, if some 3-and-D three-pointers can be introduced, it can undoubtedly inject fresh momentum into Durant's offense. No matter what type of rookie they bring in, the Suns will need to reach their full potential and develop them into a pillar of the team in the future.
Overall, for the Suns to truly reinvent a championship team, a trade alone isn't enough. They need to make systematic adjustments at multiple levels such as coaching staff, player roster, and echelon building, so that Durant can reach his full potential in a new environment. It's a tough and challenging road, but as long as management keeps a clear strategic vision, the Suns can return to the top of the league sooner or later.
V. Conclusion
The Suns, who have been the leaders of the West in the regular season for the past two seasons, have been disappointing lately. But we believe that as long as the management can really face the problems inside and outside the team, and make comprehensive adjustments with a wise attitude, the Suns will eventually regain their glory one day.
Judging from the current situation, the Suns abandoned Booker and introduced McCollum, Murphy and two first-round picks, which undoubtedly laid the foundation for the team to build a new Nets with Durant as the core. Next, they need to implement precise policies in multiple key areas such as coaching staff, player reinforcement, and rookie development to ensure that this plan can be implemented smoothly.
Although this is undoubtedly an unknown road, as long as the management can take a good measure and adhere to the strategic approach of Durant as the core, I believe that the sun will eventually see the light of day. A new lineup led by Durant, McCollum, Murphy and several excellent three-pointers will surely set off a new round of take-off for the league.
Let's look forward to a successful rebuilding process for the Suns in the future, and a return to the glory of the past!