Phoenix Suns point guard compendium: 15 potential trade targets

John Wall

2018-19 stat line: 34.8 MPG, 21.5 PPG, 8.1 APG, 3.6 RPG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG, .452/.318/.674 shooting splits

Pros:

• Acquiring an All-Star point guard in his prime
• Having a lead playmaker and established facilitator to make Booker’s life easier
• Perhaps a change of scenery would reinvigorate Wall

Cons:

• One of the ugliest contracts in the NBA
• Serious doubts about his attitude and locker room chemistry with teammates
• Declining play
• His age doesn’t match up with Suns’ timeline for contention
• Injury history
• Wizards are still disappointing under his leadership with a better supporting cast

A possible trade:

Breakdown:

John Wall is the best point guard currently available and it’s easy to make the connection to Phoenix, but that sure as hell doesn’t mean the Suns should come calling. A trade for Wall would represent a desperation move from an impatient owner willing to sacrifice this core’s long-term ceiling for a return to the playoffs (and likely first round exit) in the short-term. The Suns are desperate for a point guard and need to land another star to move forward, but poor roster construction shouldn’t beget more ill-advised moves.

It’s not even because Phoenix would have to break up its Devin Booker-Deandre Ayton-Mikal Bridges core either; an offer revolving around some combination of T.J. Warren, Josh Jackson, Trevor Ariza’s expiring deal (after Dec. 15) and a first round pick would probably get the job done from the Washington Wizards’ perspective as they attempt to blow up one of the most disappointing rosters in the NBA.

If the Suns could work out a trade bringing back Kelly Oubre Jr. in return, they’d do well (relatively speaking) to pursue that option, given the wing depth they’d likely be losing in a potential deal:

No, the reason this kind of move should be avoided is Wall’s albatross of a contract, which will pay him $169.3 million over the next four years, peaking at a ghastly $46.9 million in his age-32 season. It’s also worth noting Wall’s game is heavily reliant on speed and athleticism, and as he approaches his 30s, that will become a more significant problem without a reliable 3-point shot.

Considering his play is already declining, he hasn’t cared about defense in some time, his injury history and the locker room troubles that have plagued his teams for years, Wall would be the flashy addition sure to doom what’s left of Booker’s faith in this franchise, tying down the cap sheet for years as the Suns repeatedly top out as a first round playoff team.