Sequel Same as Original

I don’t how we missed this one but there was a trade last week! Let’s take a look at the newly constructed — and newly named — Death Star and their trade partners, Jedi Knights! The trade looks pretty straightforward: two young-ish injury prone guards were swapped for each other in Brandon Knight and Bradley Beal. In fact, their numbers are so similar it’s hard to reason out why this trade even happened. (Sources report that Thien had been shopping Knight around but we thought it would be for a big man.) But we love trades so who cares!

• ID#60: Jedi Knights receive Brandon Knight from Death Star / High Riser in exchange for Bradley Beal

First up, Brandon Knight, whom we lauded in our look at Voltron division a few weeks ago. With Eric Bledsoe now out for the season, we thought Knight’s numbers would increase but instead he’s been hurt and ceded playing time to some young Suns. Still, Knight is averaging 19.7 PTS, 5.1 AST, 4.0 REB, 2.3 3PT, 1.5 STL, and shooting 42.4 FG%.

Beal, enduring yet another injury ravaged year, has only played twenty-five games this season but is averaging very similar numbers. 18.1 PTS, 3.0 AST, 4.0 REB, 2.0 3PT, 1.0 STL, on 44.9 FG%. Both Beal and Knight also shoot around three FTs per game, with Knight having a slightly higher percentage — which he offsets with slightly higher TOs.

Jedi still has only one win on the season, and haven’t had a victory in ten weeks. Beal wasn’t going to save their season (and didn't last long post last year's trade), and neither will Knight. But we like his slightly stronger AST game for this team. The Knights play the two win Squirtle Squad this week but then face a tough schedule afterwards. With Knight and Al Jefferson both out, it’s probably time for GM Chris to fully turn his attention to acquiring assets for next season.

Death Star has its own share of problems, with a three game losing streak and the frisky Soup Dumplings challenging them for a division title. Injuries are still a problem as Hassan Whiteside, Tyreke Evans, and Eric Gordon are all still out. There have been some flashes from Archie Goodwin, which was probably what pushed Knight out the door. We’ll see if the Suns follow that in real life. Coach Thien will have to pull it together fast if he hopes for a return to the Finals.

With only two trades down this season, can we find a few more?