2007-2008
Finish: 44-38

What went…
Last season we ran a special edition version of the Insider on the Minnesota Timberwolves to highlight a condition we call “Trade Craziness” in the NLL. Once again, we return with such a special edition (the first of at least three this time). Rather than focus on the ups and downs of the Phoenix Suns (they folded in the first round of the playoffs), we will focus on all the moves they made to get to this point. Hold onto your hats, folks! There are a lot of names flying here!
Chris Duhon, Quinton Ross and a 2nd rounder to the LA Lakers for Joey Graham and Yakhouba Diawara-New GM Frank Goldstein came out of the gates with this relatively innocuous deal. Graham has been a bust in his three NLL years, but he has the most potential of all the players in the trade. Diawara would become fodder in a later deal. Getting rid of Duhon, arguably the best player in the deal, was a wise move as he made it clear he will be seeking MLE money via free agency. Score one for the Suns here, especially if Graham decides to play next season.
Erick Dampier, Marcus Camby, Andre Iguodala, Dorell Wright and Marcus E Williams to New Orleans for Eric Piatkowski, Kevin Garnett and Dwayne Jones- Blam! Like that, the Suns change the entire face of its team. This deal is faulty for many reasons. Though Garnett is the most dominant player in the league, he is also getting older and costs millions of dollars to keep. Iguodala is definitely in the league’s Top 20 players, and he’s young. He is the type of guy to build a franchise around. The Suns also lose one of the league’s best defensive guys in Camby, potential in Wright and a solid starting center in Dampier. Piatkowski and Jones are roster-filler. So are Iguodala, Camby, Dampier and Wright really worth Garnett? We think not. (Big) mistake #1 for the Suns. Old GM Wizkid must be shaking his head in LA, watching his old dynasty crumble.

Brian Cook, Dwight Howard, Thabo Sefalosha, 1st rounder to the Denver Nuggets for Beno Udrih, Charlie Villanueva, Louis Williams and Al Horford- I don’t care if the return is good. You DO NOT move the best young big man in the league for anything. Horford may have loads of potential, but Howard is superman. Why do you think the Nuggies made it so far in the postseason? Sure, Williams and Udrih could make a good backcourt someday, but Howard is going to be in an elite level that many players never attain. Horford is good, but he doesn’t have the size. Charlie V did nothing but disappoint since his rookie year. Mistake #2 for the Suns.

Gilbert Arenas, Larry Hughes, Devean George, 2 1st-rounders for Nenad Krstic, Charlie Bell, Elton Brand, 2nd rounder- This one took time to unravel since three teams were involved. Okay, getting rid of Hughes’ horrible contract was a good idea. But Brand? Brand who was injured all season and clearly will become an unrestricted FA. Plus, you already have Horford and KG! Sure, Arenas is a drag when hurt, but you also moved two first rounders! That’s the future right there. Mistake #3 for the Suns.

Kevin Garnett, Eric Piatkowski, Dwayne Jones for Mike Bibby, Emanuel Ginobil, Zaza Pachulia, 1st rounder, 2nd rounder- KG, Jones and Piatkowski must really like each other to be traded together twice in a season. Good deal for Phoenix. They get an elite point guard, a star guard and a solid big. Too bad everyone in taking bets as to which one will be the first to be traded. There is a rumor Horford was set to go to Philadelphia before a small snafu nixed the entire deal.

Shane Battier, Casey Jacobsen, Brandon Wallace for Steve Francis, Beno Udrih, Yakhouba Diawara and 1st rounder- Around and around we go. Kudos for dumping Francis, but unloading trash on Sacramento is like selling a bag of flour to a junkie. Battier is a great pickup and for very little. Nice move, Phoenix!