Phoenix Suns: Three potential trade targets at the center position
Currently the Phoenix Suns only have two pure centers on the roster that are healthy. The franchise could do with another big man on the roster.
Before the injury to Alan Williams, the Phoenix Suns had two of the better backup centers on their bench. Now the bench looks thinner with just Alex Len being the only pure center. Even though the Suns have power forwards Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender that could be a fill in as a small-ball center, they are not the ideal third string center. Chriss is purely a small-ball center and a modern day power forward. Bender could be the answer, but he is still far to young and lean to see prolonged minutes at the center. If, God forbid, there were another injury at center, the Suns would be up the creek without a paddle. The Suns could use a third string center or even better a franchise center, because at this point no players that the franchise currently has can fulfill that need. The Suns should be proactive to find a center that can fit within their rebuild that could provide minutes if necessary or the franchise center the team needs.
John Henson
More from Valley of the Suns
- Ranking the Phoenix Suns’ 5 holiday games in 2023-24
- Zion Williamson gets compared to Phoenix Suns legend
- Suns player preview: Bol Bol can be the perfect role player
- Former Suns’ guard shows he is officially done with Phoenix
- NBA insider guarantees Suns’ rival won’t make blockbuster trade
John Henson could play quality minutes at center for the Suns, but more importantly than his play is what else he could bring to the franchise. The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to shed salary to add veteran wing Richard Jefferson and Henson was one of the players mentioned as a trade option. If the Buck’s front office is serious about signing Jefferson, then they will to pay a big price to unload Henson. Something like a lottery protected future first round pick would sweeten the pot and would allow a deal to get done. A first round pick is definitely good for the Suns and they should take advantage of a deal like that if it is presented to them.
In the past, I have had Henson as a potential trade target for the Suns and he would be a solid addition to the team. He is one of the better backup centers in the NBA, but is a sub par starter sadly. With that in mind, the Suns would add Henson for the pick more than his 7.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks career average.
Bismack Biyombo
Defensive center Bismack Biyombo could be a great addition to the Suns. Biyombo could be a quality starter for the Suns even though he is more offensively limited than current starting center, Tyson Chandler.
| Rk | Player | From | To | G | GS | MP | FG% | 2P% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismack Biyombo | 2012 | 2017 | 447 | 185 | 9557 | .512 | .512 | .553 | 3.4 | 7.7 | 11.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 3.9 | 8.2 |
| 2 | Tyson Chandler | 2002 | 2007 | 413 | 240 | 10833 | .536 | .537 | .602 | 4.0 | 7.7 | 11.7 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 4.3 | 10.3 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 10/16/2017.
In comparing both Chandler’s and Biyombo’s per 36 minutes stats during their first six seasons, there are some similarities between the two. Obviously Chandler is the better player, but both have similar stats in rebounding and blocked shots. The Suns could role the dice on the center and see if Biyombo has what it takes to be Phoenix’s franchise big man and if not the Suns still have one of best defensive backup centers in the NBA.
Andre Drummond
The former All-Star seems under appreciated with the Detroit Pistons. A possible change of scenery could do the big man some good and he would be a perfect down low partner for Devin Booker.
| Season | Age | G | GS | MP | FG% | 2P% | eFG% | FT% | ORB | DRB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 19 | 60 | 10 | 20.7 | .608 | .609 | .610 | .371 | 2.8 | 4.8 | 7.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 7.9 |
| 2013-14 | 20 | 81 | 81 | 32.3 | .623 | .625 | .623 | .418 | 5.4 | 7.8 | 13.2 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 3.4 | 13.5 |
| 2014-15 | 21 | 82 | 82 | 30.5 | .514 | .515 | .514 | .389 | 5.3 | 8.1 | 13.5 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 3.5 | 13.8 |
| 2015-16 | 22 | 81 | 81 | 32.9 | .521 | .522 | .522 | .355 | 4.9 | 9.9 | 14.8 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 3.0 | 16.2 |
| 2016-17 | 23 | 81 | 81 | 29.7 | .530 | .532 | .531 | .386 | 4.3 | 9.5 | 13.8 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 13.6 |
| Career | 385 | 335 | 29.7 | .548 | .549 | .549 | .381 | 4.6 | 8.2 | 12.8 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 13.3 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 10/16/2017.
He fills the void of shot blocker and rebounder the Suns need. Gaining a center like Drummond would help accelerate the Suns’ rebuild tremendously. Gaining a player like Drummond may not be worth the cost, which is the biggest negative with Drummond.
Next: Three fun goals for Ulis in 2017-18
The Phoenix Suns have plenty of option when addressing the depth issue and finding a center of the future. Regardless, each one of these potential trades could put the Suns in a place to either acquire one or get to a place where they could draft one.