The Phoenix Suns weren’t expected to be a playoff team this season, certainly not in the loaded Western Conference. However, for the first two-plus months of the season, the Suns have surprised many, tallying a 21-14 record, which is good for the seventh seed in the West.
On top of that, they have won six of their last seven games. The Suns’ narrative has changed this deep into the season. Many expected they would be one of the worst teams this season and tank; however, it is safe to say that will no longer be the case as we approach the halfway point.
If that wasn’t clear before, Suns governor Mat Ishbia made it as clear as day. In his most recent post on X, he shared that he has no intention of breaking up his core team before the looming trade deadline.
After former NBA All-Star and DeMarcus Cousins said on FanDuel’s Run It Back that the Lakers should deal their star guard Austin Reaves for Suns forward Dillon Brooks, Ishbia shut down those talks immediately.
Cousins said he thinks the Lakers should trade Reaves for Brooks.
“He’s a culture changer. He’s a proven winner. … Brooks fits exactly what the Lakers need right now,” Cousins said. “You’re getting a two-way player, compared to a one-sided player. Why wouldn’t you do it?”
Cousins’ trade idea did not sit well with Ishbia, and as crazy as it sounds, that makes sense. Brooks has been phenomenal for the Suns this season, averaging 21.4 points per game, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 34.3 percent from beyond the arc.
The 29-year-old has proven that he could be a solid piece for a legitimate contender. While the Suns have yet to prove they are a contender in the West, they have shown they have no intention of shaking things up before next month’s deadline.
As for Reaves, he is set to enter free agency this summer and could garner up to north of $35 million annually.
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