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Phoenix Suns: 10 Potential Trades As Sellers Before 2017 NBA Trade Deadline

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and center Tyson Chandler (4) run up the court in the first half of the NBA game against the Miami Heat at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 99-90. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) and center Tyson Chandler (4) run up the court in the first half of the NBA game against the Miami Heat at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 99-90. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 10, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) reacts after making a three point basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns won 115-97. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Clippers Get Their Wing

The Los Angeles Clippers‘ biggest issue is keeping Blake Griffin and Chris Paul healthy at the same time, but assuming CP3 returns to full strength before the postseason, this team’s other big flaw is that it lacks a great small forward — as has been the case for the entire Lob City era.

P.J. Tucker probably doesn’t seem like a game-changing solution at the 3, but Doc Rivers‘ hands are tied without any real assets to offer outside of the Big Three or his own son, Austin Rivers. The Clips owe their 2017 first round pick to either Orlando or Toronto, and they owe a 2019 first-rounder to Boston.

Enter the Suns, who would more than happily pocket a 2021 first-rounder to cash in on Tucker’s value, even if it means taking on Wesley Johnson‘s contract. According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Clippers are one potential suitor for Tucker, so a deal here makes sense.

Johnson was underwhelming during his last stint in Phoenix, and his 3.2 points per game on .377/.280/.647 shooting are virtually useless to the Suns on the wing. The remaining year and $5.9 million on his contract (plus a $6.1 million player option for 2018-19) isn’t ideal, but the Suns could either waive him or keep him as a backup/third stringer behind T.J. Warren.

Though 2021 is still a ways down the line, a future first would be a pretty great return for an expiring contract, even if Earl Watson and the Suns love Tucker’s defensive versatility and never-ending effort on the court.

The Clippers would get a defensive ace who would give 150 percent playing for a pseudo-contender, and don’t forget that the last time Tucker played on a winning team with other offensive weapons around him, he shot 38.7 percent from three-point range.

However, Rivers has already dug himself into a hole by sacrificing so many future first round picks for stopgap solutions, and Tucker might not be enough of an upgrade to warrant surrendering another one, especially since Tucker is a free agent this summer. A pair of second-rounders might be a more realistic offer.

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