NBA Trade Rumors: Deal for PG Jose Calderon Would Make Perfect Sense for Suns

Trading for Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon would make perfect sense for the Phoenix Suns, who are looking to remain competitive as they head into the post-Steve Nash Era.

According to TSN NBA writer Tim Chisholm, the best fit for the Raptors' veteran point guard is with the Suns:

"

@Steeebo If Raps trade Jose I think the best fit is PHO. They are sitting on a mountain of space and he’d be a good 1-yr mentor for Marshall

— Tim Chisholm (@timpchisholm) July 2, 2012"

Here we take a closer look at why Chisholm is right on the money with his latest assessment of a potential deal of Jose Calderon to the Phoenix Suns—that is, if the Raptors don't amnesty the Spanish floor general instead.

Dump a Few Heavy Contracts

Although Calderon is owed $10.5 million next season, his contract expires after the 2012-13 season, and it will be off Phoenix's books, which opens up more cap room for spending on 2013 free agents. In addition to the expiring contract of Calderon, the Suns could dump the mega contracts of Josh Childress and Hakim Warrick on Toronto.

Childress is owed $13.6 million over the next two seasons and has a player option of $7.3 million for the 2014-15 season. Meanwhile, Warrick is set to make $9.6 million over the next two seasons before his contract expires. If Phoenix can ship off those two in a deal that brings back Calderon, they can better themselves for future spending.

Provide Newest Piece With Time to Develop

With Steve Nash likely moving on, the Suns will have to depend heavily on rookie 2012 draft pick Kendall Marshall next season. However, if Phoenix could essentially rent Calderon for one season, Marshall would have a shot to learn from a decent playmaker who averaged 10.5 points and 8.8 assists per game last year. 

Marshall would then have time to come into his own as an NBA player and perhaps develop into a quality and dependable starting point guard for the Suns by 2013-14. Marshall certainly showed great promise in his two seasons at North Carolina, so a year studying and sampling the pro game will only benefit him in the future. 

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