Minnesota’s misstep turned into Los Angeles’ opportunity.
Bill Guerin is fresh off General Manager of the Year honors, but his bid for a repeat has taken a hit this offseason.
Longtime Minnesota Wild winger Mats Zuccarello signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings worth $1 million, plus bonuses, in recent days—ending a lengthy tenure in Minnesota and adding another veteran piece to an already experience-heavy Kings roster.
The departure wasn’t entirely seamless. Zuccarello was reportedly “ticked” at the Wild over what he viewed as a lack of communication regarding his future. That, however, appears to be only part of the story. Guerin later acknowledged he took too long to reach out after the season, accepting responsibility for the breakdown.
“I don’t blame him. Honestly, I took way too much time after the season to reach out and communicate with him, and that’s on me. Zuccy probably deserved better than that. When we did connect a couple of weeks ago, we had a great conversation,” Guerin told reporters.
Zuccarello is no longer in his prime at 38 years old, but his production hasn’t fallen off a cliff. He finished last season with 54 points in 59 games and added nine points in eight playoff appearances. Over seven seasons in Minnesota, he totaled 389 points in 452 regular-season games, cementing himself as one of the franchise’s most consistent offensive drivers of the past decade.
Given that production and tenure, it’s understandable why the situation left a sour taste. From Minnesota’s perspective, the delayed communication only intensified uncertainty around a longtime core piece. From Zuccarello’s standpoint, it became a clear signal that a change of scenery made sense.
That change now lands him in Los Angeles, where the Kings are betting on experience, fit, and offensive rebound potential rather than a full-scale reset.
“They feel like they could play a little bit more offensive-minded at times,” Zuccarello told NHL.com. “Hopefully, I can contribute with that.”
That need is real. Offense, not defense, was Los Angeles’ biggest issue last season. The Kings finished near the bottom of the league in goals per game (2.68) and struggled on the power play at just 17 percent. Despite that, a steady stream of overtime losses was enough to push them into a Western Conference wild-card spot before they were ultimately swept by the Colorado Avalanche.
Rather than pivoting toward a rebuild, Los Angeles has doubled down on short-term competitiveness and veteran stability. Alongside Zuccarello, the Kings brought back 41-year-old Corey Perry on a one-year deal worth $1 million plus bonuses after a midseason stint that saw him play 50 games before being traded to Tampa Bay. They also added center Scott Laughton on a three-year deal carrying a $3.5 million average annual value.
The message from Los Angeles is clear: stay competitive now, even if it means leaning heavily on aging but proven contributors to patch a scoring problem that nearly derailed their season.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
ANAHEIM, CA - JUNE 08: LaMonte Wade Jr. #31 of the Houston Astros bats in the six inning during the game between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Monday, June 8, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Tony Macon/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Today, the Houston Astros announced a series of moves affecting their outfield:
Wade Jr., 32, was signed by Houston on June 4 to a 1 year, $1M contract. He made an immediate impact, going 4×12 in 4 games with 2 doubles, a HR, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored before a hamstring injury landed him on the IL.
Wade had gone only 1×10 on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land, but batted .250 with a .420 OBP and .861 OPS for Triple-A Charlotte Knights, part of the Chicago White Sox system, this season before requesting his release and being signed by the Astros. His patience and plate discipline were reasons cited by Astros GM Dana Brown for why the team signed him, and why the team had interest in him in the offseason.
Dezenzo, 27, was hitting .264 with a .417 OBP and .780 OPS at Sugar Land this season. He has demonstrated better plate discipline this season, with a 22/25 BB/K ratio in 115 PA at Triple-A. The Astros are looking for better plate discipline and less strikeouts out of their outfield.
Dezenzo has played small parts of 3 seasons in Houston with the Astros, never really getting a consistent opportunity and not being successful in the small opportunities he’s had to date. This season with the big league club, Dezenzo was batting .191 with 4 doubles, 1 HR and 2 RBI in 47 AB across 21 games. He also struck out 19 times.
Meyers, 30, has followed up a career-best .292 average last season with what would be a career-worst .206 average so far this season. Meyers missed 2 months of last season with a calf injury. He was batting .308 when he went on the IL after play July 6, and returned September 6. He batted just .204 in the month of September last year, finishing the year at .292.
This season so far has been more of September 2025 for Meyers, who hit just .183 in June.
In 2024, Meyers finished with 13 Outs Above Average per Statcast, and was a finalist for al AL Gold Glove in CF. Despite missing two months last season, he finished with 9 Outs Above Average in 2025. Meyers has only 2 Outs Above Average this season, partly due to missing 38 games due to injury and partly due to poor offensive performance.
Loperfido, 27, got off to a decent start this season, albeit without any power. He was batting .276 with a .348 OBP on April 17 when he went on the IL with a right quad strain. He returned June 9, but struggled badly, batting just .122 in 41 AB in June. He did have 2 heroic moments, a 3-run HR in extras to beat Toronto June 23, then tripled late in a tie game the next day and scored on a throwing error as the pitcher tried to pick him off. He was just unable to capitalize on those moments or gain momentum, going 1×15 since.
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; The eighth pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Houston guard Kingston Flemings reacts after he was selected by the Atlanta Hawks at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Hawks fans get their first look at Kingston Flemings and the rest of the young players as they start their three-game Summer League stretch against Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz.
Please join in the comments below as you follow along.
Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen
Location: Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, UT
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Egor Demin of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Sydney Bezelik/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
It’s been a long time since the Nets had this much to look forward to at Summer League. No matter how you want to look at it, they have a ton of stock in the players playing in Sacramento.
We had a late edit to today’s thread as fans anticipated Mikel Brown Jr’s (6th overall) first game as a Nets — particularly in a fun matchup against Darius Acuff Jr. (7th overall). Roughly 20 minutes before tip, Brian Lewis provided an update:
Ben Saraf, Egor Demin, Drake Powell, Tyler Bilodeau, Chaney Johnson will start the California Classic opener for the #Nets against the #Kings. No Mikel Brown Jr. or Danny Wolf, so fans won’t get to see MBJ vs. Darius Acuff.
Drake Powell joins the team after missing last year’s summer league. It’ll be important for him to carve out a leadership role while in Sacramento. Nolan Traore is out for the summer.
Enjoy the fireworks!
🏀 Key Info
Matchup: Sacramento vs. Brooklyn
Time (ET): 5:00 p.m.
Broadcast / Streaming Platform: Gotham Sports App, Prime, NBA TV, NBA League Pass, ESPN+
💬 Discussion
Share your thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 11: An overall view during the national anthem with an American flag on the baseball field before the game between the Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies at Comerica Park on September 11, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Detroit Tigers (38-50) vs. Texas Rangers (45-43)
Time/Place: 4:05 p.m., Globe Life Field SB Nation Site:Lone Star Ball Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Jack Flaherty (1-8, 4.97 ERA) vs. RHP Kumar Rocker (2-6, 3.83 ERA)
Does it fit Quentin Dolan being named president, chief operating officer and alternate governor of the Rangers?
Here's how his dad, Garden boss Jim Dolan, defends the very decisive Blueshirts developments:
"Since Quentin's arrival overseeing our Player Performance and Science Department, he has made a strong impact on the Rangers and Knicks organizations," says James Dolan. "As a result we are pleased that he will step into this elevated position."
The Rangers and Knicks are part of the expanding Dolan enterprises. That includes theaters such as the Beacon on Broadway and the Sphere in Las Vegas, among others. The Rangers need help and young Dolan has completed his basic training:
James Dolan: "Quentin has quickly become an incredibly valued member of the Rangers franchise and played a key role behind the scenes with the Knicks during their championship run. I look forward to seeing the positive influence he can make in this expanded and critical role."
The Knicks have obliterated the Rangers on the Garden landscape. Quentin's appointment is a necessary component in upgrading the Blueshirts to the lofty position of the Knicks.
Jul 4, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Logan Gilbert (36) reacts after the final out of the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
The Mariners have scored one run, on a bases-loaded walk, in their last 20 innings of baseball.
Logan Gilbert takes on the Blue Jays today approaching a career milestone – he’s nine strikeouts away from his 1,000th career K. That’s a heavy lift for a day’s work, but it would be so special if he could hit that milestone in front of the fans at home, especially since there hasn’t been much to cheer about for Mariners fans lately.
Lineups:
News:
While today was originally scheduled to be a Gilbert/Hancock piggyback, instead the Mariners are going back to a six-man rotation until the All-Star Break in order to get the starters some extra rest. Hancock will pitch tomorrow, and the rest of the rotation will continue to slot in as normal.
Injury updates:
Julio Rodríguez was at the park today and did some light jogging on the treadmill but is still experiencing concussion symptoms (headache, nausea, lightheadedness).
Brendan Donovan was also at the park working on baserunning and fielding drills. He’ll go out on a rehab assignment when the Mariners are out of town next week; unfortunately, the Rainiers and AquaSox are both out of town as well, so Donovan will head to Arizona to get in some work at the complex. Thoughts and prayers to the 18 year old complex kids getting to pitch to Brendan Donovan.
Today’s game information:
Game time: 1:10 PT
TV: Mariners TV with Aaron Goldsmith and Ryan Rowland-Smith
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.; ESPN radio with Roxy Bernstein and Madison Shipman
Nick Blankenburg's late-season stint with the Colorado Avalanche appears unlikely to continue, with the defenseman now headed to unrestricted free agency and little expectation of a return.
Acquired from the Nashville Predators in March for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, Blankenburg arrived as a depth addition to strengthen Colorado's blue line for the stretch run and postseason.
The 27-year-old split the season between the two clubs, recording 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 49 games with Nashville before adding three points (two goals, one assist) in 12 regular-season appearances with the Avalanche.
He also suited up in five playoff games, scoring his first career postseason goal in memorable fashion. Blankenburg buried a cross-seam pass from Valeri Nichushkin past Jesper Wallstedt during Colorado's 9-6 victory in Game 1 of its second-round series against the Minnesota Wild. The celebration quickly became one of the defining moments of Colorado's postseason, as Blankenburg launched himself into the glass before Gabriel Landeskog, Brock Nelson, and Cale Makar piled in.
Like Nichushkin, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this offseason, Blankenburg appears headed for a new opportunity.
Well... maybe.
There are still a few scenarios worth considering.
A reunion with Nashville is among the most logical.
Blankenburg quickly became a fan favorite with the Predators after earning his opportunity following time in the AHL. His skating, puck-moving ability, and willingness to play much bigger than his 5-foot-9 frame made him an easy player to appreciate, and he rewarded that confidence with the most productive offensive season of his NHL career.
Then there's the Chris MacFarland factor.
The former Avalanche general manager has made a habit of bringing familiar faces to Nashville since taking over the organization. At this rate, you might as well start calling them the Nashville Predalanche.
Already this offseason, MacFarland has acquired Ross Colton, Isak Posch, Jack Drury, and Chase Bradley in separate trades. He also signed former Avalanche defenseman Jack Ahcan to a two-way contract, continuing to fill the organization with players he already knows well.
A return to Nashville would make sense for more than just hockey.
Blankenburg has been open throughout his career about the importance of his Christian faith, often crediting his relationship with Christ as the foundation of both his life and career. During his time in Colorado, he spoke about sharing that bond with teammates Josh Manson and Brent Burns, relationships that helped him quickly settle into a new organization.
From a hockey perspective, the fit is just as sensible. MacFarland wanted Blankenburg badly enough to trade for him just a few months ago, and Nashville could certainly use an affordable, dependable depth defenseman capable of filling a third-pairing role while providing competition throughout the lineup.
There's also another possibility.
If Blankenburg values familiarity over a fresh start, returning to the Avalanche organization on a two-way contract can't be completely ruled out.
Colorado’s AHL affiliate has undergone significant turnover this offseason. The Eagles lost head coach Mark Letestu after he joined the Vegas Golden Knights as an assistant coach, while T.J. Tynan signed with the Springfield Thunderbirds. Ahcan’s departure to Nashville also opens another spot on the blue line, potentially creating an opportunity should Blankenburg continue his career within the Avalanche organization.
Whether that door is actually open remains to be seen.
For now, though, Nashville feels like the cleanest fit. The organization already knows exactly what Blankenburg brings, MacFarland has shown he's more than willing to reunite with former Avalanche players, and the opportunity to compete for NHL minutes could be more realistic there than with many other clubs.
One thing is certain: wherever Blankenburg signs, he'll be bringing the same relentless motor, underrated offensive instincts, and infectious energy that made him a fan favorite in both Nashville and Colorado in a relatively short amount of time.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 20: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
How quickly does one get hit in the face with a reality check? Why don’t we ask the San Diego Padres, a team that, when it faced the Dodgers for the first time this season, trailed in the race for the NL West by just half a game? And no, this series didn’t occur so early in the year as to make this point irrelevant—it happened on May 18th, well short of two months ago. Now, as Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets ready for a second straight matchup against the Friars, the Dodgers possess a 14-game lead, one that sounds like a lot, but it’s even bigger when you put it into a certain context.
If the Dodgers were to beat the Padres tonight, their lead over the Padres—who are currently tied with the Diamondbacks for the second spot in the NL West—would represent the second largest lead any team has against any opponent in their own division. As things currently stand, the Padres are much closer to the Rockies and the worst team in baseball (Royals) than they are to the Dodgers—the numbers show that, even if reality often brings much closer games such as Friday’s night one-run win thanks to a Teoscar Hernández grand slam.
Addressing tonight’s specific matchup, Yamamoto is still working on fixing what was initially a rather poor track record against the Padres. Despite allowing just three runs in the 15 innings he has pitched against San Diego this season, Yamamoto only has a 4.60 ERA versus the Friars, his second-worst mark against any National League team.
Aug 10, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; General view of T-Mobile Park during the sixth inning of a game between the Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Game number 89…..the season is flying by. Winnning a second game in a row would be nice.
George Springer is still away, moved to the Family Medical Emergency list, but there is no emergency, just letting George have more time with his son.
Unfortunately, it looks like Canada’s time in the World Cup is over. They did great. I would have been good with a couple more wins, but they played well.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 2: Ezequiel Duran #20 of the Texas Rangers prepares to bat against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning at Globe Life Field on July 2, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
And while Hardaway Jr. will look to emulate his dad’s sharpshooting in South Beach, the Hall of Famer wants to maintain his “legacy” and keep his No. 10 uniform retired.
Hardaway Jr., seen guarding the Knicks’ OG Anunoby, wore No. 10 last year for the Nuggets Jason Skenes/ NY Post
“My legacy is my legacy. Even though he likes to wear No. 10, that is not coming down from the rafters,” Hardaway Sr. told WQAM radio in Miami. “That is tough to do. And when it’s up there, you want [it] to stay up there, and you don’t want nobody to touch it.
“I love him. I love him. I’m happy for him. …. Watching him play through college and the NBA, he’d been to three places I’d never been: the Final Four, a championship, and now, he’s going to his hometown team. I never done that, and so, I’m happy that he’s doing it,” Hardaway Sr. continued about his son, who grew up in South Florida.
“But no, he can’t wear No. 10.”
Tim Hardaway of the Heat dribbles against the Warriors on November 26, 1996 at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. NBAE via Getty Images
The 34-year-old wing has worn No. 10 for the Hawks, Mavericks and Nuggets, and his father also wore the number in Miami before the franchise retired it in 2009
Hardaway Jr. has also worn Nos. 3, 5, 11 and 8 during his career, though only No. 3 is currently available on the Heat roster.
Tim Hardaway Sr. (left) is not letting his son (right) wear his Miami Heat No. 10. NBAE via Getty Images
He had a solid year for the Nuggets last season as he averaged 13.5 points per game and finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Now, with the Heat’s trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to be finalized soon, Hardaway Jr. will look to serve as a complementary piece around the two-time MVP.
As July 1st, 2026, has passed, Cale Makar is available for a contract extension. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent next summer, and with how much the cap is going up, today's price is not tomorrow's price. Another potential Norris Trophy season for Makar could make what many suggest he might make this summer look like a joke this time next summer.
Though Joe Sakic has stated that a contract will be done this summer, this brings up another potential extension to tackle: Artturi Lehkonen’s. In the last year of his five-year, $22.5 million deal that carries a cap hit of $4.5 million, what number do the Avalanche want and can expect to sign someone turning 32 this season, who has dealt with injuries?
Avalanche Needs To Be Careful With Their Next Extensions
There is no question about how important Lehkonen has been for the team during this time with them. A massive part of the 2022 Stanley Cup run, and despite time and time again dealing with nagging injuries each season, the effort he brings when in the lineup can be irreplaceable, or if so, can be pretty expensive.
As we saw this summer and the following summers, the cap is set to jump exponentially each year. More precisely, the cap ceiling is expected to be $113 million for the 2027-28 season, the first year of their new deals. Every season, the talks between players and management will differ as teams, agents, and players view the rising cap differently and consider how to make the most of it.
While everyone in hockey is excited about the rise in the cap, especially with how stagnant it has been during the COVID-19 days and how it limited many teams in making many moves, teams like the Avalanche, who are excited to see the cap increase, need to be careful with how much they send out to pending UFAs and free agents.
The Ins And Outs Of A New Lehkonen Contract
In terms of what a new Lehkonen contract might look like, what plays into his new extension, and if so, how long of a term and how much do the Avalanche value him?
The unfortunate part of Lehkonen you can compare to is Valeri Nichushkin, and it's the phrase “When he's available, he's at his best,” with “when available” as the major standout.
Since joining the Avalanche in the 2021-22 season, Lehkonen has only played over 70 games twice, and every other season he has missed at least 25% of the regular season. Adding to the two missed games of the second round this season and looking pretty bad in his return during the Conference Finals.
His value is way above the 104 goals and 112 assists for 216 points; those totals, not including the playoffs, could have been way higher, barring some injury luck. His two-way, physical, penalty-killing prowess is crucial to the Avalanche and is even more pronounced during the playoffs.
So injuries are a factor, but beyond that, we know he can produce and raise his game in the playoffs. How does it compare to other wingers based on his age, production, and the cap hit he could be looking for?
His new contract will take him into his mid-to-late thirties; add in some injury history, but don’t discount the level of production he can bring when healthy or his competitiveness in the playoffs.
I think of players like:
Victor Arvidsson (Red Wings) with a two-year, $8 million contract at $4 million AAV.
Tyler Toffoli (Sharks), with a three-year $16.2 million contract, $5.4 million AAV.
Reilly Smith (Knights), three-year $15 million contract, $5 million AAV.
Vincent Desharnais (Capitals), four-year $16.8 million contract, $4.2 million AAV
Anders Lee (Mammoth), three-year $16.20 million contract, $5.4 million AAV
You can make the argument that, in Lehkonen's position, he is more important to his team than those listed to theirs. Still, they are all players who can fit the mold of a player with a contract heading into their mid-to-late thirties, with a contract comparable to what Lehkonen can be given.
Among those listed, those cap hits take up roughly just over 6% of the team's cap. The problem is, as I said in the beginning, today's price is not tomorrow's price. Next season, with the cap increase, the amount will be just around 7%. So if you're in Lehkonen’s camp, you could make an argument for north of $5 million AAV for his next deal, when you can make the argument that, when Lehkonen is at his very best, he's well over $6.5 million.
Does $6.5+ million work for the Avalanche? While I think $5-6 million would be a sweet spot, the biggest factor would be the term. How many years do the Avalanche want to keep this “core” together, and do they think they can make a run with them?
There is no denying the importance Lehkonen brings, but considering his age and injury history, getting him a contract with the right term and value, and potentially moving him down the lineup for other top-six wingers as the years go on, might be the best play for the Avalanche going forward.
Brian Gregory and the Suns have moved with purpose this offseason, securing three of their own free agents and adding Miles Bridges to the mix, but as the dust settles after the opening skirmishes of the offseason, they find themselves with a couple of round holes to fill and a bag full of square pegs.
Adding talent isn’t the same as getting better, and on paper, the fit of the projected starting lineup of Booker, Green, Brooks, Bridges and Williams seems dubious. There’s not a lot of three-point shooting, Brooks is the only plus defender at his position, there’s not a clear answer to the rebounding issues, and there’s only one ball. So while the roster has a lot of scoring options, who’s getting the shots? Or more importantly, who’s giving up their shots?
The Jalen Green mock trades have been flying since he landed in Phoenix. I’ve written about his fit previously.
I think Jalen Green is a number one option on a team. He’s not going to be a guy who thrives being the second, or in the case of last year, the third option. He’s been consistently Jalen Green throughout his career, and I think it’s unlikely that he would be effective in or even open to accepting a different role. It may be mutually beneficial for Jalen Green and the Suns to part ways this offseason. I’ve taken the time to help expedite the process by coming up with five mock trades that I would like to see in the event the Suns move off of Jalen Green.
So Brian Gregory, if you’re listening, this is how you fix the Suns.
The first option I see for constructing a Jalen Green trade is to package him with the recently signed Mark Williams to upgrade the center position. In these scenarios, we would improve at center but also open up a spot in the starting five for Collin Gillespie.
Turner is a stretch five who could open up the floor so that Booker, Brooks, and Bridges can go to work. The Suns also get Kyle Kuzma, a 50% shooter who can guard 1-5, according to Kyle Kuzma, on a $30 million expiring contract, as well as Gary Harris. Milwaukee gets the new engine of their offense as they work to rebuild their team after Giannis’s departure. Mark Williams and Ryan Dunn are two more young players who may better fit their timeline.
This trade addresses any issues Phoenix might have with spacing in their starting lineup. Myles had a tough year last year, but he’s only one year removed from being a core piece in the Pacers’ run to the Finals. He is a better rim protector than Mark Williams, averaging two blocks a game over his career. Personally, I feel he’s a better long-term fit with Devin Booker than Mark Williams, and if Ishbia and crew are serious about building a contender around Booker, they could do much worse than a player like Myles Turner. However, one drawback is Turner isn’t a great rebounder, which remains an area of concern for the Suns going into the 2026-27 season.
In trade two, we take a huge cut, trading away Green and Brooks.
Jalen Green has always seemed like a King to me, so the fit seems natural as the Kings move to rebuild around their recent lottery pick. Dillon Brooks would give the young team a veteran who’s proven to be a leader who can help establish a culture. They’ve been openly shopping Sabonis for a while now, but he carries a large contract. He would, however, be a great fit for Jordan Ott’s offense, as a strong screen-setter and playmaker at center. He’d also immediately impact the Suns’ rebounding woes. He’s long been one of, if not the best, rebounders in the league.
I really like the fit of Sabonis and Booker. It would give Booker an outlet for when teams try to press him off the screen. He could also act as a connector, in ways similar to how Oso operates in the offense. He would be a clear upgrade over Mark Williams on the offensive end and on the glass, but the Suns would sacrifice some length inside. In addition to Sabonis, the Suns would add Malik Monk to replace the bench scoring of Grayson Allen, and Collin Gillespie, who would be moving to the starting lineup.
The second option I see for trading Jalen Green is to replace him with another guard who is more complementary to Devin Booker’s game. The following trades will involve three different types of guards: a ball-handling combo guard, a two-way guard, and a playmaking guard.
Trade Target #3: The Mavs
Suns Get:
Kyrie Irving
Mavs Get:
Jalen Green
Projected Starting Lineup: Irving, Booker, Brooks, Bridges, Williams
The most common response I’ve heard to fans asserting that Devin Booker needs a point guard to take the ball out of his hands is that there aren’t any point guards left and that, beyond being a table-setting point guard, CP3 was a Hall of Fame, top 75 player. Where do you find another guy like that?
In Dallas.
Kyrie has a similar skill set to Jalen Green in that he can put downhill pressure on the rim, but that’s where the similarities end. Kyrie is one of the best finishing guards ever. He’s great with the ball in his hands, but he’s also been successful in the number two role next to LeBron and Luka. He’s older and coming off an injury, but if he makes a healthy return, he’d give the Suns what they really need to free up Devin Booker: a second offensive threat the defense takes seriously.
Teams will not be able to take Devin Booker out of the game if it means giving up space to Kyrie Irving. This trade would also give the Suns a closer in the fourth quarter who is a great ball handler and good in tight spaces and big moments. It would take some of the pressure off of Booker and give the Suns more options to attack at the end of games.
There are some concerns about Kyrie’s age and just Kyrie in general, but if the Suns want to compete for championships over the next three years, an all-time great like Kyrie next to Booker would put them in contention.
Trade Target #4: The Blazers
Suns Get:
Jrue Holiday
Blazers Get:
Jalen Green
Projected Starting Lineup: Holiday, Booker, Brooks, Bridges, Williams
Holden Sherman from Bright Side has already posted an article about a hypothetical trade with Portland to put Jrue next to Book. At the time of the article, it didn’t seem likely to happen, but Portland just added Ja Morant and Dame Lillard is returning from injury with a no-trade clause.
Portland has said they are not shopping Jrue, but they still have some questions to answer about their roster and some of their young guards. If they choose to move on from players like Henderson or Sharpe, then a player like Jalen Green might give them back some of the pop they’d be giving up. While a Jrue trade may still be unlikely, the fit next to Booker is unquestionable.
Jordan Ott could field a different type of defense with this hypothetical lineup. A defense more aligned to his desire to create turnovers and extra shot opportunities. At the same time, Jrue is an opportunistic scorer, capable of huge games, but not needing to put up a lot of shots to make an impact. I think for the Suns this makes a lot of sense, but it may not make as much sense on Portland’s end.
Trade Target #5: The Bulls
Suns Get:
Josh Giddey
Isaac Okoro
Bulls Get:
Jalen Green
Projected Starting Lineup: Giddey, Booker, Brooks, Bridges, Williams
This trade has been making the rounds on Twitter for a while now. I don’t like this trade. Giddey is a young star ascending and would add playmaking and rebounding to the Suns. He can handle the ball and allow Booker to work in more of a traditional shooting guard role. But that defense…that defense looks so awful I can’t stand it.
For all of Green’s faults and ill fit on the offensive end, I feel like he has the potential to be a really disruptive defender. Maybe not the guy you match up on the other team’s best player, but more of the impact we saw in the Golden State play-in game where he gave the Suns 3 blocks and 2 steals. Giddey would only add to the Suns’ defensive woes, which saw team after team cutting through the Suns’ defense off the drive, like paper through uncalloused fingers. You can’t win games when you can’t stop the ball. Giddey is a no-go. Shame on anyone out there who thought the Suns should trade for him.
All of these trade ideas are hypothetical. I’m not an insider. I just know center is a really impactful position on the court, a position where the Suns have, at least since I’ve been in Phoenix, always been a little shaky.
We need to get more production there, and I’m not sold on Mark Williams being able to stay healthy, and the fact that they signed him to three years makes me think that Khaman Malauch is not close to starting. I don’t think they signed Williams to be a backup at that price, not when they have Oso, who Ott turned to last year in the fourth quarter over Mark. Before the Suns signed Mark, if you had asked me whether I think we should trade for Myles Turner or Domantas Sabonis, I might have said, “No, it would interfere with Khaman’s development.” I’m not so sure about that now.
If the Suns were to trade Green, I’d prefer them to package him with Mark for a center.
Let me know in the comments what return you would like for Jalen Green or if you think the Suns should keep him. If anyone has a good Hornets trade, let me know. I looked there first and couldn’t find anything, but I’m sure Gregory could cook something up.
