Trade & FA 2025-26: Free Agency Starts 5pm CST/6pm EST

[SleepingHero]

The fact that Stein specifically mentioned Omax as the trade option, suggests to me that they will not actively try to move PJ or even Hardy/Martin/Powell for now. If a good trade comes along, they´ll llook into it, but they certainly will not want to create another Delon Wright situation, where you overpay in assets just to dump some minor salaries. Now is the time for Kidd to give Hardy an extended run at SG with a simplified "catch and shoot, one escape dribble pull up" move set. I believe he can only improve his trade value. Of course if they give him the ball again to play PG, they might as well waive him right now.

I think they´ll start with this rotation

Russell/ Hardy+ Williams
Flagg/Christie
Klay/Marshall
AD/Washington
Lively/Gafford

Klay to add some shooting to the starters. Williams will play the classic PG-orientated back-up role, while Hardy will play more of a SG-orientated role to provide 3pt shooting and Marshall/Washington will handle the play-making in these situations.

Moving Omax also allows you to re-sign Exum. Which makes our guard depth really solid truthfully. Especially when Kyrie returns. Kyrie/DLo/Exum/Williams is good enough. 

Our 2's are a little weak, but if Hardy takes a next step that we've been expecting, maybe it isnt as weak as it appears on paper.: Klay/Christie/Hardy

Our forward rotation is most likely the best in the league. Flagg/Naji/Martin and AD/PJ is just nasty. Health of course matters. AD will probably miss some time. But as long as 3 of the 5 are healthy, we are set.

And finally center rotation is again one of the best in the league. Not only can AD float there, our two main guys are what everyone is pining after. Lively/Gafford/Powell is just balanced and strong. If Lively can actually shoot 3s like they've been teasing for 2 years, then this center rotation is bonkers. 

Of course, I'd prefer it if Powell was replaced with Kai Jones or another athletic center. But he's still a locker room positive. 

Overall, Hardy and Martin are our biggest bloat salaries, and can/should be moved off to be better used elsewhere. Its unfortunate because Grimes is expected to get a deal around 15-16 mil, which adds up to Hardy+Martin. I'd rather have had Grimes, especially now, than Hardy and Martin. 

DLo+Exum I think is just enough creation for us to be okay. If I was Nico, I'd be scouring a trade for a 2 guard that can facilitate and shoot well. This 2-guard should also want/can come off the bench and fit contract wise with a Hardy+Martin package. 

PHX does have a glut of 2-guards. Does Greyson Allen pique anyone's interest?