21 up-for-grabs players who may play a starring role in NBA trade deadline rumors

Josh Okogie, Phoenix Suns

Many onlookers were caught off guard when the Phoenix Suns inked Josh Okogie to a two-year deal worth $16 million this offseason. Though Okogie has carved out a solid role for himself in this league, that was still viewed as a pretty hefty sum of money for him. This appears to be a clear-cut case of management giving a player a contract with the intention of trading them later on.

For teams on the hunt for more perimeter defense, Okogie would be a worthwhile addition. The guard has always been a hard-nosed defender, managing to stick around in the NBA for six years despite a lack of development on offense. If the Suns were to test his market, there's a good chance that some teams will be interested in the 26-year-old.

Ultimately, it might depend on how the Suns perform out of the gates. A team that is so reliant on its top trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal could certainly use a defender like Okogie in the lineup to take on the tough assignments, so he does fit well with this group. However, if a player of interest surfaces in trade talks, there's a good chance he's the likeliest Sun to be dealt.