NBA Trade Deadline: The trade each team must make

May 15, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson (15) and center Kendrick Perkins (5) watch the game against the Memphis Grizzlies from the bench during the second half of game five of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The Grizzlies defeated the Thunder 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Taj Gibson (22) backs down Boston Celtics forward Brandon Bass (30) during the second quarter at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Valley of the Suns (Phoenix Suns)

Suns send Isaiah Thomas, Miles Plumlee, draft pick to Chicago for Taj Gibson, Aaron Brooks

A guy can dream, can’t he? In a perfect world, the Suns would be able to pull this off without having to include the pick owed to them by the Los Angeles Lakers (top-five protected in 2015, top-three protected in 2016 and 2017). A trade for Gibson would give the Suns the kind of paint protector they need, someone who has a serviceable midrange shot and would pair nicely with Alex Len in the frontcourt for the future.

Phoenix is a fine offensive team, but they need to improve defensively and on the glass before they ever take the next step toward contender status. Gibson helps them move closer to that while clearing out the point guard logjam. The deal also brings in a serviceable backup in Aaron Brooks, who’d be a cheap re-sign this summer, AND it allows Markieff Morris to terrorize opponents off the bench.

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Suddenly, the Suns would have a very solid young core of Eric Bledsoe, Len, Gibson, the Morris twins, P.J. Tucker and hopefully, Goran Dragic (a free agent the Suns are hoping to re-sign this summer). Keeping Dragic, Brandan Wright and Gerald Green in free agency would be nearly impossible at that point, but Phoenix would still be taking a step in the right direction with this deal.

Losing Thomas hurts more than people would think, especially since those point guard hydra lineups really do work in limited doses. But when the Suns need rebounds to close out defensive possessions in close games, it hasn’t happened. Gibson changes that, and Brooks gives the Suns a backup who’s shot 39 percent from downtown this year — a superior option over Tyler Ennis.

The only problem is, would the Bulls be tempted in the middle of a title-or-bust season? Gibson’s numbers are down this season, but he’s arguably Chicago’s most important backup. Chicago needs some perimeter shooting, which is what Thomas provides, but is that upgrade at point guard worth downgrading from Gibson to Plumlee, even with the future first rounder thrown in?

Next: Lakers go big (and small)

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