The Phoenix Suns had a relatively quiet 2021 offseason. Coming off a crushing defeat in the NBA Finals at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks, after they started the series up 2-0, they will be bringing back a majority of the same core for the 2021-22 season.
The team had seven free agents this summer, but a majority of them returned to the team. Chris Paul, Cameron Payne, Frank Kaminsky, and Abdel Nader all re-signed with the team. Torrey Craig, Langston Galloway, and E’Twuan Moore did not return to Phoenix.
Helping replace the players that didn’t get re-signed will be Landry Shamet, who was acquired on draft night from the Brooklyn Nets. The Suns traded Jevon Carter and their 2021 first-round pick for Shamet.
In free agency, the Suns were relatively quiet as well, focusing most of their resources on retaining their players. Eflrid Payton is returning to Phoenix as well to serve as the third point guard behind Paul and Payne. JaVale McGee was brought in to shore up the frontcourt.
READ MORE: Predictions for Latest NBA Trade Rumors: Simmons, Siakam, Dragic, Lillard
McGee will be counted on to help overcome the loss of Dario Saric. Saric is likely going to miss the entire 2021-22 season after injuring his knee during the NBA Finals, leaving a hole in the Suns’ rotation.
That combo big man isn’t something Phoenix has readily available to replace Saric with, but there is one player potentially available that could fill the void; Thaddeus Young.
What could a trade with the San Antonio Spurs look like that lands Thaddeus Young in the desert? Let’s take a look at this hypothetical deal.