SUNS SIGN-AND-TRADE FOR SACTO PG THOMAS
In a sign-and-trade deal, the Phoenix Suns acquired point guard Isaiah Thomas from the Sacramento Kings for a trade exception worth $7 million and the draft rights to power forward-center Alex Oriakhi.
What does it give the Phoenix Suns
This is an intriguing--if curious--move by the Suns. Thomas is a starter-level talent (despite his small size) but the Suns already have two starting guards in {P Goran Dragic} and {P Eric Bledsoe}. Moreover, they drafted a likely future starter in {P Tyler Ennis}, so Phoenix now has four point guards (since Bledsoe plays somewhat out of position at the shooting guard spot). Thomas will probably settle in quickly as the team's sixth man, and he'll be an expensive one (since he inked a four-year, $27 million sign-and-trade deal).
What does it give the Sacramento Kings
Despite his success as their primary point guard, Thomas wasn't in the Kings' plans as a long-term starter. They recently signed the inconsistent {P Darren Collison} for that job (although it won't be surprising if top draft pick {P Nik Stauskas} eventually fills that role). Oriakhi has some talent but must first make the team after spending time in Europe and the D-League last season. The trade exception will help Sacto bring in another player or more eventually (at $7 million in salary) without having to move salary the other way.
Fantasy impact
Even if Thomas had remained in Sacramento his fantasy value likely would've dropped off somewhat next season (since the Kings drafted {P Nik Stauskas} and then signed {P Darren Collison}). Now in Phoenix, Thomas' fantasy value suffers an even bigger drop; he'll not only be coming off the bench behind {P Goran Dragic} and {P Eric Bledsoe}, but {P Gerald Green}, {P Tyler Ennis}, and possibly {P Archie Goodwin} should also be in line for fairly regular playing time in the Phoenix backcourt. On the Kings side of this deal, Stauskas, {P Darren Collison}, and {P Ben McLemore} all stand to see regular minutes (with {P Ray McCallum} also in the mix). Oriakhi isn't a fantasy factor (even if he gets signed and makes the final roster).
