Phoenix Suns team owner Mat Ishbia and General Manager James Jones are actively involving head coach Frank Vogel in the ongoing trade discussions leading up to Thursday’s 1 p.m. trade deadline. Vogel acknowledges being in the loop regarding roster conversations and player availability across the league. Despite expressing contentment with the current team, Vogel remains open to potential improvements.
Sources reveal that the Suns maintain interest in acquiring Hornets forward Miles Bridges, although attempts to include Nassir Little in a deal with second-round picks face challenges. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski suggests that the Suns may acquire an on-the-fringe wing player to bolster their rotation for the playoffs. The team might also explore packaging veteran minimum players in a potential deal.
Wojnarowski notes the Suns’ motivation to win within their current window but acknowledges the team’s limited assets for trades. The Hornets’ Miles Bridges, despite potential ties to Suns’ owner Ishbia, possesses a no-trade clause and has a pending court date related to a protection order violation. Re-signing Bridges, viewed as a rental for the Suns, presents financial challenges due to Phoenix’s salary cap constraints.
The Suns, with a 30-21 record and a healthy roster, are exploring options to enhance their lineup. However, Ishbia’s aggressive approach as team owner is reminiscent of last season’s blockbuster deal that brought Kevin Durant to Phoenix. Despite lacking similar assets now, the Suns continue to seek ways to strengthen their roster.
Ishbia’s ownership marked a significant change for the Suns, as he acquired both the Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury for a record $4 billion. The team holds $6.5-million and $5-million trade exceptions, but this is the last opportunity to utilize them. However, executing a trade exception requires an open roster spot, and the Suns currently have a full 15-man standard roster.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Suns, like other NBA teams, are navigating the complexities of exploring potential deals, creating a period of anticipation and stress.
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