Phoenix Suns: 5 potential trades for a point guard

Heading into the 2018-19 NBA season, the Phoenix Suns still need a starting-caliber point guard. Here’s a look at five potential deals they could pursue.

The Phoenix Suns have had quite the busy summer. From drafting Deandre Ayton No. 1 overall to trading up in the draft for Mikal Bridges to signing Trevor Ariza to trading for Ryan Anderson and De’Anthony Melton, the Suns are undoubtedly in a better place heading into 2018-19.

However, the Suns also had one of the worst point guard rotations in the league before sending away Brandon Knight. With him gone, this team’s best options at the 1 are now second round rookie Elie Okobo, another second round rookie in Melton, second-year guard Shaquille Harrison and Isaiah Canaan.

Okobo could be a dynamic scoring guard in time, while Melton projects to be a great fit alongside Devin Booker since he’s defensively inclined with a ton of upside if he can figure out his jumper. However, the goal for 2018-19 is to start competing again and accelerate “The Timeline” a bit.

Since the Suns have a glut of wings, a couple of young players with potential and future draft picks to work with, it’s not surprising that the team’s goal before the start of the new season is to put them together and trade for a starting-caliber point guard.

According to Arizona Sports 98.7‘s John Gambadoro, the Suns have already tried — unsuccessfully — to trade for Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker and Terry Rozier. However, trade talks never stop, and things can always change once the Feb. 7 trade deadline approaches.

With that in mind, it’s time to take a look at some potential trade targets for the Phoenix Suns, what deals it would realistically take to get it done, and why these possible deals would fall through.

Honorable mentions

Damian Lillard — A nice thought, but the Portland Trail Blazers aren’t giving him up. Even if they were thinking about breaking up that star backcourt, it’d take a king’s ransom, future picks and probably some light blackmail to convince Rip City to deal Dame without Devin Booker or Deandre Ayton being involved.

Goran Dragic — Reunions are great, but Dragic still has two years and $37.3 million left on his contract. The Miami Heat would jump at the chance to get his salary off the books, but the Dragon is 32 now. His best days are behind him.

D’Angelo Russell — The prospect of uniting Booker with his buddy D-Loading makes sense, but he’s not the facilitator or defensive-minded point guard the Suns need alongside their backcourt star. Throw in his restricted free agency next summer and this is one popular name Phoenix should avoid.