PHOENIX SUNS

ESPN: Suns could follow ’08 Celtics model to form a superteam

Aug 1, 2017, 7:37 AM | Updated: 3:23 pm

Follow @kzimmermanaz...

Do what’s worked before.

General manager Ryan McDonough appears to be taking that advice to heart in building the Phoenix Suns. As an assistant general manager for the Boston Celtics in the summer of 2007, he and the rest of the Danny Ainge-led front office turned a trove of young players and picks into that year’s version of the superteam.

With a flurry of moves, Boston teamed Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen with Paul Pierce, leading to the Celtics’ 2008 NBA Championship. If that’s one of several ways to build a superteam, them ESPN’s Tom Haberstroh sees the Suns having the potential to follow the same path.

He named Phoenix the runner-up in chasing the 2008 Celtics model of building, just behind the current Boston team.

There’s no doubt that the Suns will be lurking in case a disgruntled star makes noise next season. Like Boston, the Suns figure to keep a close eye on New Orleans, but Kristaps Porzingis, Blake Griffin and Klay Thompson are all names to watch down the line.

Haberstroh, of course, is attempting predict the next disgruntled stars before they even become tradeable.

New Orleans may be facing a crossroads soon if the pairing of big men DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis doesn’t develop into a winning recipe. Porzingis seemed ready to become a trade asset before the Knicks fired front office leader Phil Jackson.

Griffin’s Clippers could be blown up if the post-Chris Paul era doesn’t begin well, and money is on Klay Thompson to be the first key piece of the Warriors’ current superteam to jump ship.

While those situations have yet to play out, how do the Suns find themselves in a position to potentially land the next available star player via trade?

For one, Phoenix has been involved in plenty of big trade rumors over the past year because McDonough has stockpiled assets with young players like Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss. Phoenix also has all of its upcoming draft picks plus two from the Miami Heat via the Goran Dragic trade.

Several of those pieces could be included for an All-Star that could be paired with Booker, for example.

It would mirror the Celtics’ 2007 trade of a package centered around youngster Jeff Green going to Seattle for Allen and Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis. Boston followed that up by acquiring Garnett for rising center Al Jefferson, a few role players and two first-round picks.

Why does Haberstroh think the Suns could be set up for a blockbuster deal? It’s helped that McDonough went as far as admitting he’s been involved in trade talks involving All-Stars. The timing, he said, just hasn’t been right.

There are other ways to build a superteam, of course.

LeBron James’ 2011 Miami Heat team was simply about drawing Chris Bosh and James to join Dwyane Wade in Miami. The earlier versions of the Warriors’ superteam was simply about winning the NBA Draft before the 2017 version became a hybrid of two models with the signing of free agent Kevin Durant.

As for now, the Suns remain hopeful that their superteam potential will grow out of the players McDonough has drafted over the last few years.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

10 hours ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

1 day ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

1 day ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

ESPN: Suns could follow ’08 Celtics model to form a superteam