For some time, superteams ruled the NBA. If you didn’t have an MVP candidate and another star or two, guess what? You were falling behind. Some teams had two MVP candidates.
In some respects, that era has passed. Homegrown teams that were built through the draft are becoming fashionable. Yet, someone will always take the superteam approach. The prospect of putting together the most talented team in the NBA will always be enticing.
In 2023-24, the Phoenix Suns were supposed to be a super team. So far, they haven’t exactly been a powerhouse. The Suns have turned a corner recently, but it’s still been a disappointing season for them. Could acquiring Andre Drummond from the Chicago Bulls help them turn it around?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls receive: G/F Damion Lee, 2026 Second-Round Pick (DET, MIL or ORL via PHX), 2028 Second-Round Pick (MEM via PHX), 2029 Second-Round Pick (MEM via PHX)
Phoenix Suns receive: C Andre Drummond
If you’ve got an opportunity to build a superteam, you do it. Those opportunities are rare. With that said, make sure that the team is actually super. Otherwise, you’re likely to fail expectations.
Look at the Bulls. This team put a handful of stars together. Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic have all made All-Star teams. With that said, any one of them is probably best suited for third option duties on a true superteam.
As a result, the Bulls have floundered. They’re expected to be sellers at the deadline, but their best trade chip isn’t even part of that duo. We’ll see if the Bulls move Alex Caruso. Should they move Drummond?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Frankly, the Bulls should move everyone. They could justify hanging onto Coby White, Patrick Williams and some other young players. Otherwise, they should be open for business.
There’s no reason to exclude Drummond. He won’t net them a first-round pick. Drummond is aging, and he’s a role player. If the Bulls can move him for a trio of second-rounders, they need to accept that deal.
Otherwise, Lee has been out for most of 2023-24. He’s inconsequential in this deal. This is all about getting value for Drummond. Should the Suns give that value up?
Why The Phoenix Suns Do The Deal
The Suns raised eyebrows when they acquired Bradley Beal. Many felt that they should have surrounded Kevin Durant and Devin Booker with the best role players they could find. With that said, they raised even more eyebrows when they acquired Jusuf Nurkic.
Sure, Nurkic can score. Shouldn’t the Suns have coveted a defensive big? Nurkic isn’t an outright liability in drop coverage, but his specialty is interior scoring.
With that in mind, Drummond has made strides as a defender in recent years. He also remains one of the best rebounders in the NBA. The Suns don’t have the assets to acquire top-shelf players, so adding someone on Drummond’s level to their rotation will have to suffice. Typically, you end up spending your assets to form a super team.
