With the offseason underway for the Phoenix Suns, there are numerous pending roster decisions to be made. The fan base has already voiced their opinions, clamoring on social media and expressing who they would like to see this team add. Even if Mat Ishbia promised continuity and the core of this team will remain, some changes will follow. The Suns do need more size, as that was a clear issue against most of their Western Conference foes.
Yet the question of who should be that piece to bring some size
here remains unknown. Speculation has been rampant across the Suns’ land, and in recent news, another name has popped up as a possible trade candidate.
That is right, ladies and gentlemen, it is Anthony Davis! The big man who was traded in arguably the worst deal of all time is reportedly gaining some traction from Suns fans to target after the latest intel. It is stated that AD may want a trade-out of Washington, as it was not his desired destination. This would then leave the star forward on his third team in three years, as he looks for an extension.
Does this make sense for the Suns, and if so, how could they get it done?
How could it get done?
Unlike the other two renditions of this series (which, if you missed, check them out), AD makes significantly more than either Aaron Gordon or Jrue Holiday. Davis has 2 years and $121 million remaining on his deal, with a near-$63 million player option next year that he will certainly pick up. With him also wanting a long-term extension, if the Suns were to acquire him, this would be something they would have to consider alongside the Dillon Brooks extension that is expected to happen, too.
To get this deal done, the Suns would have to send either Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks or Green with Royce O’Neale and Grayson Allen to get close to a salary match, as Davis is owed $58.5 million in 2026-27.
Which would make the most sense?
Since the Suns are expected to extend Brooks and keep him on the team, his inclusion in trade rumors makes little to no sense. It would be the deal with Allen, Green, and O’Neale that is over $60 million in salary. The Suns would then save some money on this deal to re-sign key free agents, but would have no more ammo for other moves. This would be the big kahuna, adding AD to bolster the front court.
For Washington, they would be taking a flyer on Green, hoping he can transform into the guard he could be there while also getting two veteran deals to help their depth. They could eventually move those pieces if they look a bit worse than expected, but having O’Neale as a mentor to Kyshawn George could be very beneficial for their development.
Why does it not get done?
It seems both teams are reluctant to do this one. For starters, Phoenix is basically flushing all its value out in this one deal. The only other way they could make a move is if Mark Williams were signed and then traded in restricted free agency, which would handicap a team that wants financial freedom.
Not to mention that AD wants an extension, like I keep mentioning. One that is a max contract worth at least $50 million for the next few seasons. For a 33-year-old big man who has had injuries throughout his career, this would scare me if I were the Suns’ front office. If we are already invested in Booker long-term and want to be in this core, we cannot pay another max contract, especially given all the dead money on this roster from Bradley Beal’s stretch and Nassir Little’s waivers in the previous offseasons ($23.2 million).
The Suns won’t be able to escape the aprons long-term if they pursue this move, and with an aging AD, that is not a good look. I mentioned in my last piece in this series that even if you are healthy and come to Phoenix, you may still get injured. Well, for AD and the Suns, that would not be pleasant, as they would have invested so much in someone who might not play. Davis has played above 60 games twice in the last 5 years. A complaint fans had about Mark Williams this year would certainly stick for AD during his time here.
Now, there are positives to the big man that the Suns could definitely value, as he’d be a great mentor for Khaman Malauch and Oso Ighodaro. With age, Davis has gotten a bit slower on the offensive end, forcing him to play center more than power forward, which is also what the Suns need him for. His three-point has regressed, and the spacing he used to provide has not been as impactful in past years. After shooting above 30% from three for 5 straight years, he has yet to hit that mark since the 2019-20 season.
I also think the Wizards would not want to do this deal. Even if his value is at an all-time low, the package the Suns give does not really help the Wizards. Yes, it gives them proven veterans and pieces to improve their bench, but how much? Does it stunt their internal growth as well? Does Jalen Green even fit with Trae Young and Tre Johnson there? Those are real questions that have to be addressed when evaluating this, and, truly, I do not think the Wizards would want Green. Maybe it has to be a three-team deal to get done, but that makes it too complicated for a piece that I just illustrated is not worth it.
What do you think, though? Do you think the Suns should pursue Anthony Davis, and if so, what would you offer?
