Phoenix Suns
Sending out: Ryan Anderson (WAS), Dragan Bender (ATL), TJ Warren (MEM)
Bringing in: John Wall (WAS), Tyreke Evans (IND), Ivica Zubac (LAL), Wilson Chandler (PHI)
Yes, given the super-max salary kicking in next year, his striking decline and injury history, John Wall may have the single-worst contract in the NBA. And, yes, trading for him is an enormous risk for the Phoenix Suns, one which could hamper them for years to come. The silver lining, if there is one here, is that they give up almost nothing (two players they don’t want and one who will be irrelevant if things work out) for the chance to take a super-expensive flier on Wall.
Here’s the case for taking the chance: If the Suns are going to take a leap it’s because Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton are the transcendent players they appear to be. With Mikal Bridges playing well, what’s likely a top-3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and whatever stock you still place in Josh Jackson, the Suns already have a few chances to find/pick/develop a third star to go with them. Wall is obscenely expensive but he’s closer to a third star than any of those players.
If this works, the Suns could be a playoff team next year with depth developing and their core still in their primes when this contract comes off the books.