Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Phoenix Suns wouldn’t mind being playoff contenders for the 2013-14 season. But the trade of Luis Scola definitely shows the franchise is thinking more of the future than the short term.
The trade of Scola takes away a talented veteran player for the Suns and sends him to Indiana in exchange for Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee. Scola averaged 14.2 points and 6.6 rebounds in his six NBA seasons, but only averaged 12.8 points for Phoenix last year and had a career low of 47.2 percent. He’s 33 years old, so for Phoenix, it was worth the gamble.
Scola will provide the Pacers with the depth they need to contend with the Miami Heat for supremacy in the NBA East.
The Suns demonstrated the attitude that they must build from the ground up to return to NBA prominence.
They’re not exactly getting some excellent talent in return, although they will be receiving a first-round draft pick. The Suns now have three first-round picks for 2014. Green averaged 7.0 points a game for the Pacers in 60 games last season and shot 36.5 percent from the floor. Plumlee was the 26th pick overall in 2012 and played in 14 games. But the Suns believe he has a bright future and could eventually fit nicely into their rebuilding program.
“I want to thank Gerald and Miles for their contributions,” Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird said in a team release after the trade was announced. “They had tough years last season, but worked hard, never complained and contributed to the great chemistry our team had. I think Gerald and Miles will be solid additions in Phoenix and we wish them well.”
