NBA Trade Deadline 2016: Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns Biggest Winners?
When the dust settled after the 2016 NBA trade deadline, the Phoenix Suns and the Washington Wizards reportedly emerged as the biggest winners.
In the deal, Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair were sent over to the Suns. In return, the Wizards got disgruntled forward Markieff Morris, along with a protected first-round pick.
Humphries is averaging 6.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.5 blocks for the Wizards, while former no. 1 pick, DeJuan Blair is another big body although he's averaging 2.1 points and 2.0 rebounds this season.
According to the Washington Post, the trade between the Wizards and the Phoenix Suns just before the NBA 2016 deadline was one of those cases when everything works out perfectly for both teams.
"Phoenix needed to get rid of Morris, who has wanted out of the Suns organization ever since they traded his twin brother, Marcus, to Detroit last summer," it said.
"And while the Suns maybe should've done it sooner, by waiting they wound up getting a first-round pick out of it - which was the price they wanted all along."
The Wizards in turn got a versatile power forward who can shoot a three, thereby opening the lane for John Wall and Bradley Beal.
Morris is averaging 11.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists for the Phoenix Suns.
"He's a talented player on a fantastic contract - one that will only pay him $24 million combined over the next three seasons as the salary cap skyrockets this summer," the Post said.
USA Today also graded the deal prior to the 2016 NBA trade deadline as an ideal situation for the Wizards.
"The underperforming Wizards are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, but have found a good fit in Morris to produce on the offensive end," the article written by AJ Neuharth-Keusch.
"Dejuan Blair has struggled to find time on the floor (7.5 minutes per game this season) and Kris Humphries has had trouble adjusting to the Wizards' fast-paced offense."
