A Return to Contention is Possible(Trade Included)

The Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers are perfect trade partners. The Suns are an aging Western conference team team whose gaping holes at SG and PF are keeping them out of the playoffs. The Sixers are a young Eastern conference team who have tried to trade Iguodala and have been unable to trade Elton Brand.  

        Currently the Suns' roster is stacked with bench players besides Nash, Hill, Gortat, Brooks, and Dudley. They aren't rebuilding yet, but also aren't near contending. They look to only get worse as the years go on and will be stuck paying almost 1/4 of the entire payroll on Josh Chilldress, Hakim Warrick, and Channing Frye for at least the next 3 years. Once Nash and Hill retires, the Suns will really be a bad team, without direction, and young talent and stuck in a long rebuild. I don't see a reason why they should not start making deals. Right now they are just in waiting mode, doing nothing and wasting Steve Nash and Grant Hill's last few years. They do have a major asset in Vince Carter's expiring contract and a nice center prospect in Robin Lopez. Warrick is also a moveable piece who can score off the bench, but is a putrid defender and below average rebounder.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=3me8rr2

        Philadelphia does this trade because as currently constructed, they are a bottom half playoff team in a weak-ish Eastern Conference. There is a couple spots for teams to leap with the Celtics, Magic, and Hawks declining and the time is now for the Sixers or some other team to take them.  Philadelphia already has a good young core. By trading away Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand, the Sixers not only clear a ton of cap, but they are opening opportunities for Evan Turner and Thad Young to shine. . Evan Turner would be taking over the role Iguodala had and with the ball in his hands where he could thrive and Young would have the starting role at the 4. I think by giving them the playing time, they will really get better as players and reach their potential. Also trading away Philadelphia's 2 best players, solidifies a top 10 draft position in a historically good one where the Sixers could definitely add at least add another building block.  With the money the Sixers would clear with this trade, they could resign Thad Young to a front-loaded contract this offseason and have their core locked up longterm. With all their cap space and a strong young core signed long term, Philadelphia would be one of the most attractive teams to play for with maybe the most to offer.

        The Suns do this trade to go for a title one last time. Yes Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala are seriously overpaid but as fans, do you really trust the Suns's management to spend the money they would have wisely or get  better with it? They've already shown that given the chance they will make bad decisions last offseason. Robert Sarver is going to try to save money and he is an idiot.  After all, the Suns are in no position to be picky. I say this because they have to act fast with team cornerstones Nash and Hill aging.  Neither Nash and Hill have anything left to prove and both could retire and be first ballot HOFers, but of course they want another chance at winning and winning a title to end their career. It's very possible that Grant Hill could leave for a contender and no one would blame him. He resigned with the Suns last year and they failed to resign Amare' and the team was worse because of it. He wasn't making a ton of money either, he was  very underpaid for all he brought to the team.He's near the end of his career though he's still an incredibly valuable player and of course wants to go to a contender and the opportunities are there. In order to keep both him and Nash in Phoenix, the Suns have to show they can win  and provide both players with a real chance at titles. Without Hill the Suns become even bleaker and maybe the Suns finally decide to go into full rebuild mode. At least with this trade the Suns are locked in to contend for at least the next few years. 

         The Suns are trading four mediocre players and getting back maybe the 76ers two best players last year too. I understand Elton Brand has been injured previous years, but he didn't miss a single game to injury last season and played great in both the regular season and playoffs. Without him, there would be no playoffs for Philadelphia. I think he's already regained some athleticism and explosiveness and is still coming back from his injury. He's proved he cana still be a big positive difference maker on both ends and I believe he can keep it up for the duration of his contract.

         The starting lineup would be very strong defensively with two all defensive team members in Grant Hill and Iguodala. Plus they could hide Nash's weaknesses as a defender  and would have rebounding and protection up front with two shot blockers and good defenders in Brand and Gortat. With Nash. Of course the offense is going to be stellar either way and he would have a terrific slasher/ rim attacker and one of the best ball handling wing in Iguodala. Add a low post scorer/pick and pop player in Elton Brand and the offense is  a lot better. The Sun's bench also would be strong spearheaded by one of the league's best role players in Jared Dudley and Aaron Brooks who will get to the line and score the ball. Channing Frye also is the first big off the bench and is very valuable in his own right.I still think Josh Childress will have a comeback year too. He rebounds, defends, and handles the ball well and can score with cuts to the basket. I think with this trade the Suns are a top five team with experience that could make some noise in the playoffs.

 This trade really works out great for both teams which is the idea of any trade.