I’m starting with the Suns because I believe this can happen if they are truly trying to tank and build this team through the draft. Bledsoe supposedly isn’t in the long term plans and I’m not sure how they feel about TJ Warren but this is my starting point. I’d offer them a first round pick this year and in 2020 both unprotected or top 3 protected and pick swap rights for 2019 along with Asik and Moore for Bledsoe and Warren. Supposedly, this week they were bringing in SG's (traded for Daniels) Moore could still help fill this spot. Asik while not worth much could be a decent backup if healthy and if not they may be able to supplement his pay with insurance money. Essentially giving up a first and pick swap rights to dump Asik and a first for Bledsoe. If you can get Warren and that’s a big if, it would be the icing on the cake.
The second team I’m calling is the Magic. I’m not sure their direction but if they are willing to listen, I think a deal could be done. Here is the kicker (Cousins won’t be happy), I’m sending Bledsoe, Ajinca, and Crawford for Elfrid Payton, Henzonja, and Vucevic. I’m looking for depth and potential players that can be moved if needed. I’m sure you’re asking why Payton? Two reasons, I really like local talent (could generate more local sales) and we need another PG which he is the same type of player as Rondo. Vucevich and Hezonja are just backups but I’m hoping paired with Payton on the second squad they keep their chemistry. This move also save us about 5 million dollars to use in case of injuries.
Line ups
I think we start with Rondo, Jrue, Miller, AD, and Cousins. We have shown in the past that we would put a young player in with the starters just to have a good rotation of experience and youth. Cunningham and Clark should be the first subs off the bench. The second unit would consist of Payton, Clark, Hezonja, Cunningham, and Vucevich. This unit could play the last 3 minutes of first and third and first 3 minutes of second and fourth. Then sprinkle in Tony Allen for some of those defensive stops. Jackson and Hill when they come back will only strengthen the first and second units.
Cap Space
All the moves are all about winning now but we’ve moved some of our bad contract for expiring contracts or movable parts. The good part about the move is Payton will be restricted Free Agents so if the price got to high we could let him walk or if we feel he could become a part of the core (replacing Rondo), sign him to a long-term deal. Vucevich would probably need to be moved after this year so we could resign Cousins and some other free agents namely Rondo, Payton, and Clark but either way he should be easier to move than Asik. Henzonja is young and on a rookie deal and if he doesn’t fit should be able to be moved easily. This initial move saves us roughly 5 million this year to make a few moves at the trade deadline for uneven trades. I really hate trading first round picks but listening to Bird Writes Podcast, we won’t be able to afford the first this year if we resign Cousins so essentially we are creating cap space for next summer.