The Phoenix Suns are making moves ahead of the NBA’s February 6 trade deadline. In an effort to strengthen their roster, the Suns have acquired three first-round picks from the Utah Jazz in exchange for a single first-round pick. This move gives Phoenix more flexibility to make future trades and potentially land another star player.
Phoenix Suns’ Current Situation
The Suns currently have a star-studded roster featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, but their season has been inconsistent. With a 21-21 record, they sit in 10th place in the Western Conference, battling several teams for a postseason spot. To improve their chances, the Suns need reinforcements, and this trade is expected to help them achieve that.
Details of the Trade
Phoenix’s biggest limitation before this deal was the lack of available first-round picks for trade. Due to the Stepien Rule, which prevents teams from trading first-round picks in consecutive years, the Suns only had a 2031 first-rounder to offer. However, with this new deal, they have now acquired three additional first-round picks from Utah, which they can use in potential trades.
Breakdown of the Acquired Picks
According to ESPN, the Suns received the following first-round picks from the Jazz:
- 2025 first-round pick (least favorable from Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah; protected)
- 2027 first-round pick (least favorable from Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah)
- 2029 first-round pick (least favorable from Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah; Minnesota’s pick is protected)
In return, Phoenix sent their 2031 first-round pick to Utah. The Jazz now have 11 first-round picks over the next seven years, giving them a strong foundation for future rebuilding efforts.
How This Trade Helps the Suns
With these new first-round picks, the Suns now have valuable assets to use in potential trades. They can package these picks with players to acquire a star like Jimmy Butler or another impact player. Suns owner Mat Ishbia is committed to building a championship team around Durant and Booker and is willing to spend to make that happen.
The Jimmy Butler Possibility
There are speculations that this move is the first step toward acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. A person familiar with the Suns-Jazz deal told USA TODAY Sports that Phoenix could be working on a multi-team trade that would send Butler to the Suns.
If Butler joins Phoenix, the team is expected to offer him a long-term contract when he becomes a free agent in the summer. However, to make this deal work, multiple teams may need to be involved.
What About Bradley Beal?
A challenge for the Suns is Bradley Beal’s no-trade clause, which prevents Phoenix from moving him unless he agrees to waive it. If Beal decides to waive his no-trade clause, the Suns could include him in a deal to acquire another star. However, this would also mean taking on the remaining two years and $110.7 million on his contract after this season.
The Phoenix Suns’ move to acquire three first-round picks from the Utah Jazz gives them much-needed flexibility to make future trades. With the NBA trade deadline approaching, they now have the ability to pursue a high-impact player like Jimmy Butler or another star to strengthen their roster.
While their current 21-21 record puts them in a tough spot, these assets could help them make a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz continue stockpiling picks, setting themselves up for a strong future. It will be interesting to see how Phoenix leverages these new assets in the coming weeks.
