The Phoenix Suns watched another blockbuster trade happen on Wednesday.
The Phoenix Suns have been a bystander in yet another seismic move in the NBA on Wednesday - this time with the Boston Celtics trading Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in a blockbuster that will send tested Suns rival Paul George to Boston in return.
The manner in which the Celtics handled the saga with the 2016 third overall pick has been the subject of much polarized conversation, with Suns legend Eddie Johnson chiming in to voice his opinion that Boston handled the situation very poorly and ruined a chance at reconciliation, which proved to be true in short order.
How is this relevant to the Suns specifically?
It all rests in how Phoenix has operated as an organization since Mat Ishbia took over as governor of the franchise in February 2023.
There have been some unsavory moves that have been made over the last three-plus years - including a trade for Bradley Beal that aged as inadequately as one could have imagined three years ago. Other moves and brief controversies that have been attached to the organization have largely passed without real damage to the reputation of the brand that has been budding over the last several years.
The two indicators that the Suns aren't anywhere near the spot that the Celtics are operationally at the moment are crystal clear - the reconciliation with Rich Paul's Klutch Sports and the generally close-to-vest approach that the front office has had since 2023.
Phoenix's operations were virtually an open book at one point during the tenure of the previous owner of the franchise. While Ishbia is certainly open about what his goals are, he has kept personnel moves rather close to the vest since the trade for Beal went sideways - displaying real growth in the process. Boston's reputation could very well take a hit after making Brown's availability be known so openly in the lead-up to the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade - this has yet to happen to Phoenix.
The Suns can also chalk up another victory in the midst of turmoil elsewhere in the fact that the relationship with Klutch has been repaired, as evidenced by rostering four players signed to the agency.
This is a glowing reflection on where the organization stands in the eyes of the league, and has potential to be a standout pitch for Ishbia to make when looking to make the next game-changing move to place Phoenix back in the championship contention conversation.
Join The SunsRoundtable
Head over to the SunsRoundtable page and hit the "Join" button under the featured story... it's completely FREE! You'll have the opportunity to engage with other Suns fans who live and breathe the team, share your thoughts on the organization, and more. If you're asked to sign up or download the Roundtable app... that's free too.
Kevin Hicks is a contributing writer to SunsRoundtable. He can be reached on X @khicks_21.
