Phoenix Suns: 5 trades team should make before deadline

With less than a week to go until the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline, here are five potential deals the floundering Phoenix Suns should explore.

For years, former general manager Ryan McDonough swore he’d put the Phoenix Suns‘ assets to good use the moment a young star under team control became available. Ironically enough, the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline appears to be littered with such players — only the Suns aren’t in position for any of them.

Why? For starters, McDonough is no longer in Phoenix, replaced by co-interim GM James Jones. On top of that, the Suns’ assets have either gone away (Eric Bledsoe, that 2021 Miami Heat first round pick), depreciated (Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender) or both (Marquese Chriss).

In the middle of an 11-win season, the Suns hold all of the inexperience and youth of a rebuild, but none of the excitement or intrigue. Devin Booker looks like the real deal, but he’s only 22 years old, has played for four different head coaches in four seasons and is currently surrounded by three rookies in the starting lineup.

Youngsters like Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, De’Anthony Melton, Kelly Oubre Jr. and (hopefully) Josh Jackson have futures in this league, but as the rest of the NBA salivates over recent trade candidates like Kristaps Porzingis and Anthony Davis, Phoenix hasn’t even gotten in the room.

In fact, they’ve had enough problems just addressing basic roster needs, let alone landing the white whale McDonough never found. For months, the point guard position has been a glaringly obvious area of need. McD failed to fill this blatant roster hole, and was fired just before the season began. Melton has shown signs of becoming an ideal long-term fit alongside Booker for his defense, but he’s not ready yet. For the Suns to take the next step forward, they desperately need an established 1-guard.

Up until this past week, it seemed like Phoenix would be content to sit back on its heels, let Melton undergo his trial by fire and tank away to one of the league’s worst records/best odds at drafting Zion Williamson.

However, with the trade deadline less than a week away, there are a few candidates who might be available that Phoenix should keep an eye on. This team doesn’t need to wait until free agency to locate a point guard, and with a disappointing crop of 1s hitting the market this summer, one could argue the Suns should make their move to address this need before Feb. 7.

Bearing all this in mind, here’s a look at five potential deals the Phoenix Suns should explore before the deadline.

Honorable Mentions: Goran Dragic, Markelle Fultz, Milos Teodosic, Jeremy Lin