5 NBA players in need of a trade in 2018-19

5. T.J. Warren

Does T.J. Warren need a trade out of the desert? Not entirely. He’s entering the first year of a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Phoenix Suns, he’s only 25 and if he can just add a competent 3-point stroke to his arsenal, he’d be a dynamic offensive weapon alongside Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton.

However, one look at the Suns’ current roster sheet reveals a problem for new head coach Igor Kokoskov: There aren’t enough minutes to go around for all the wings.

Phoenix’s chief move in free agency was signing veteran Trevor Ariza. Second-year small forward Josh Jackson started off rough, but could be the long-term solution at the 3 after a much stronger close to his rookie year.

The Suns gave up a future first round draft pick to trade up for Mikal Bridges, Booker plays the wing as well, and all this is without mentioning veteran sharpshooter Troy Daniels or 3-and-D specialist Davon Reed.

Ariza and Booker aren’t going anywhere for obvious reasons, which leaves the team with Jackson, Bridges and Warren as the logjammed wings with actual trade value. Phoenix still needs a starting-caliber point guard, so to bring one in, it’ll likely take at least one of those three.

Tony Buckets is the most expendable of the bunch, not only because he’s the most established player after averaging a career-high 19.6 points per game last year, but also because his lack of a 3-point shot and poor defense limit his value to a team that wants to assemble a winning core for the future.

Warren has an undeniable knack for putting the ball in the basket, which a better team — one that could cover for his flaws — could utilize properly. With a pair of younger, two-way wings closing in on his minutes and the Suns needing to move someone at his position, it might be best for both sides to find a new situation for him. Asking him to come off the bench and answer his true calling of sixth man for a team that finished last in the NBA would be a stretch.