The Phoenix Suns have already been involved in some trade moves this offseason and it appears they are continuing to deal, as the team is set to trade Luis Scola to the Indiana Pacers in return for Gerald Green, Miles Plumlee and a first-round protected pick in 2014.
According to Yahoo Sports, the Pacers are set to acquire Scola for the Suns for a protected lottery pick as well as Miles Plumlee and Gerald Green, the second big move for the team after trading for Caron Butler and Eric Bledsoe from the Clippers in a three-team deal. The Argentinian forward comes over to a frontcourt that already includes David West and Roy Hibbert and part of the deal will include Green's contract, as it helps matchup with the $4.5 million Scola will make.
The Pacers re-signed David West after making a run to the Eastern conference finals last season and the addition of Scola only makes the team stronger after doing it last season without Danny Granger. The Pacers took the Heat to seven games before losing and the team feels it is on the verge of doing something big as Paul George and Hibbert develop. Scola has been a consistent force in the league for the Rockets in the past and the Pacers have been interested in trading for him while he was in Houston and he has averaged over 14 points and seven rebounds over six seasons.
Last season Scola averaged 12 points and six rebounds with Phoenix and now the Suns will get back a high pick along with some young talent to join up with Bledsoe, Butler and Archie Goodwin to help the Suns get back into playoff contention. The team has been awful since trading star Steve Nash and now they will try and use both the offseason trades to improve quickly. Kendall Marshall has also been mentioned in trades this offseason and that move could be coming later on in the offseason as well.
The team likes its young talent in top pick Alex Len and Goodwin and the summer league showing by some players gave hope to new coach Jeff Hornacek, who is looking forward to the challenge next season. The Suns won just 25 games last season and now has a new general manager and coach and along with Goran Dragic, Bledsoe and Goodwin gives the Suns some solid talent on the offensive side of the ball. The team also has been mentioned in trade rumors with Marcin Gortat, but after trading away Scola the team may keep him to have depth in the frontcourt.
The Pacers feel that adding Scola will help put them over the top against the Miami Heat and since he can play both offense and defense, he is a huge threat down low for the team. Scola played 82 games last season and has two years left on his contract and general manager Ryan McDonough is hoping that this move can help turn around the Suns faster as they try to rebuild with younger players.
