NBA Trade Rumors: 5 players unlikely to be back with the Phoenix Suns for the 2020-21 season

Houston Rockets v Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets v Phoenix Suns

After putting on a mediocre show for the majority of the season, the Phoenix Suns finally found their rhythm in the Orlando bubble. Devin Booker and crew would be eager to carry this momentum to next season and prove that their run in the seeding games wasn't a fluke. NBA trade rumors suggest that the Phoenix Suns will be looking to make some roster adjustments in the offseason to give them a realistic chance of making the playoffs.


NBA Trade Rumors: 5 players unlikely to be back with the Phoenix Suns for the 2020-21 season

The Golden State Warriors are now back in the mix, and the Western Conference is as stacked as ever.

Even though the Phoenix Suns can still make it to the playoffs, they need more time before they compete for a championship. For this reason, they probably won't splurge in the offseason and will look to make minor adjustments that can help their young core in the future.

On this note, here are 5 players who might be headed out of Phoenix in the offseason.


#1. Kelly Oubre Jr.

Houston Rockets v Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets v Phoenix Suns

According to multiple NBA trade rumors, Kelly Oubre Jr. is the Phoenix Suns' best trade asset going into this offseason. Oubre Jr. had the best season of his career this year, as he averaged 18.7 points and shot 35.2% from downtown.

While the 24-year-old is still far from his prime, he has just one year left on his contract and will be a free agent in 2021. The Suns would likely gauge his value in the market and try to convert it into younger assets before he walks out in free agency.


#2. Aron Baynes

Phoenix Suns v New York Knicks
Phoenix Suns v New York Knicks

Aron Baynes exceeded all expectations and had a breakout season in 2019-20 with the Phoenix Suns. Baynes averaged 11.5 points this season (career average: 6 points) and recorded career-highs in multiple categories.

Though the Phoenix Suns would love to have him back on their roster, at age 33, his timeline doesn't fit with the rest of the Suns' core. Baynes will garner interest from multiple teams in the 2020 free agency, and the Phoenix Suns could choose to go with a younger talent instead.


Also read: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 crucial decisions the LA Clippers have to make this off-season


#3. Ricky Rubio

San Antonio Spurs v Phoenix Suns
San Antonio Spurs v Phoenix Suns

After signing a 3-year contract with the Phoenix Suns last year, Ricky Rubio was the perfect backcourt partner for Devin Booker. He averaged 13 points per game in the 2019-20 season and shot a career-best 36.1% from beyond the arc.

But given the dearth of playmakers around the league, NBA trade rumors suggest that teams like the LA Clippers might be interested in landing the 30-year-old this offseason. The Suns can consider moving him if they get a good deal in return.


#4. Frank Kaminsky

Utah Jazz v Phoenix Suns
Utah Jazz v Phoenix Suns

Frank Kaminsky was a backup power forward/center this season behind DeAndre Ayton and Dario Saric. He averaged 9.5 points off the bench and shot 33% from 3.

But Kaminsky's performance doesn't warrant the $5 million he'll be making next year. The Suns might decide to not exercise their team option and let Kaminsky be a free agent.


#5. Cheick Diallo

Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers
Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Clippers

The Phoenix Suns have a team option to retain Cheick Diallo for the 2020-21 NBA season. But similar to the case of Frank Kaminsky, the Phoenix Suns already have a host of players who can dominate in the 4/5 position and don't need much help in the paint.

After 3 seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, Diallo has failed to take the next step in his career and the Suns will not have a strong reason to retain him.

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Edited by Sai Krishna