2019 NBA Trade Deadline: 5 teams that should trade for Markelle Fultz
5. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns earn an obligatory mention, simply because they still need a point guard. The problem here is they seem content with letting De’Anthony Melton continue his trial by fire until a better option via trade (Mike Conley) or free agency becomes available.
That means trading for another flawed and young point guard in need of development won’t be high on their priority list, especially with the season already lost. Then again, crazier things have happened at the trade deadline, and the Suns do have a few players that would help Philly’s depth.
One offer that might appease both sides would involve sharpshooter Troy Daniels and the ongoing project, Dragan Bender:
Daniels, who’s knocking down 39.3 percent of his 3.9 long range attempts per game this year, would improve the Sixers’ depth and floor-spacing. As an expiring contract, he has no long-term future in Phoenix, and the Suns would be wise to explore his value on the trade market.
Bender has come on strong lately, recording two double-doubles in his last two games with Deandre Ayton and Richaun Holmes sidelined. The 20-year-old is heading for draft bust territory and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but the Sixers need a backup 5, which is where Bender has been effective in his limited time.
As for the draft pick, a lottery-protected selection a few years from now feels like proper compensation for a former No. 1 overall pick who’s dealt with injuries and understandable confidence issues. If that exchange doesn’t work for either side, subbing in T.J. Warren for Daniels and the draft selection might:
In this deal, the Sixers send out Wilson Chandler for a microwave bench scorer who’s completely overhauled his 3-point shot, converting 42.8 percent of his 4.2 long range attempts per game. Warren would be best utilized as a sixth man on a winning team, which is exactly the role he’d fill with his new team.
Sending out a youngster like Bender and established scorer like Warren — in the middle of a career year, no less — for an unproven prospect like Fultz is a risky proposition. Even so, Bender is on the way out after Phoenix declined his team option for 2019-20, and the Suns would be wise to sell high on Warren now given their plethora of wings and his shaky fit in Igor Kokoskov’s system.
If that’s not of interest to either side, another option is Josh Jackson for Markelle Fultz, straight up.
Jackson’s defense, upside and rookie contract would all be attractive to Philadelphia, but both sides would probably rather stick with their underachieving prospects from the 2017 NBA Draft rather than swap them.