Phoenix Suns: 6 potential 2019 NBA Draft trades
The Phoenix Suns could keep the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, but there are several draft-day trades that might make more sense.
Heading into the 2019 NBA Draft, one thing is abundantly clear for the Phoenix Suns: Another summer of adding young players with potential won’t be enough.
This team — a team that was the NBA’s fourth-winningest franchise not long ago, but hasn’t won a title in 50 years of existence, hasn’t made the playoffs in nine years and hasn’t won 30 games in four years — has to address its gaping holes at point guard and power forward.
After falling to No. 6 in the NBA Draft Lottery, the Suns’ chance of landing Zion Williamson or Ja Morant flew out the window. While they could still keep the pick and use it on another rookie point guard like Darius Garland or Coby White (or take Jarrett Culver if he’s somehow still available), their best avenue is trading the pick as part of a package for an established point guard.
Free agency could provide the answer at the 1, but the options are underwhelming. The top candidates like Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker almost certainly won’t consider Phoenix, leaving names like Patrick Beverley, Ricky Rubio and Darren Collison as their best, realistic options (barring a situation where the Brooklyn Nets land Kyrie and simply let D’Angelo Russell sign elsewhere).
Bearing this in mind, it’s not surprising to hear the Suns will consider moving their first round selection in a weaker draft class. While Arizona Sports‘ John Gambadoro believes the Suns won’t use the No. 6 pick to trade for Mike Conley, Lonzo Ball or Spencer Dinwiddie, ESPN‘s Jonathan Givony reported they’re still open to moving the pick for a veteran point guard who will complement Devin Booker.
The Athletic‘s Shams Charania also reported the team is discussing several separate trade packages involving T.J. Warren, Josh Jackson and the No. 6 pick. The Arizona Republic‘s Duane Rankin refuted this report, but assuming the Suns actually operate like a competent NBA organization this summer, which draft-day trades should they consider?
The Suns have plenty of draft options at No. 32, and they have even more options at No. 6. Whether it involves the No. 6 pick, the No. 32 pick, Josh Jackson or T.J. Warren, here are six potential draft-day trades that could make some sense for Phoenix.