The Phoenix Suns anticipate big changes for the upcoming season. A day after signing Tyson Chandler and in the midst of the LaMarcus Aldridge sweepstakes, Phoenix is clearing up cap room to make a play for at least one more upper-echelon free agent.
Phoenix has traded Marcus Morris, Reggie Bullock and Danny Granger to Detroit for future picks, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2015
Wojnarowski went on to report that Phoenix received a second-round pick in this deal—a deal that saves the team $20 million against the cap in 2015-16.
While the Suns have been one of the primary suitors for Aldridge, their only way of acquiring the All-Star big man was via a sign-and-trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. By clearing up this room, Phoenix can sign Aldridge outright without having to give up Eric Bledsoe, among others, in any deal for Aldridge.
Looking at this from a Pistons’ perspective, it’s a solid move. Marcus Morris has been a staple in the Suns rotation over the past few years. He averaged 10.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in 81 games (35 starts) last season. Morris just recently signed a four-year, $20 million extension with Phoenix last season.
Both Bullock and Granger are nothing more than fillers for the Pistons, who were obviously targeting Morris in this deal. It’s a big get on the day the team lost fellow big man Greg Monroe to the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency.
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