It’s no secret that the Phoenix Suns are seeking a starting caliber point guard in the trade market. According to Shams Charania, they have been pursuing Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley but they have not been willing to give up enough to get a deal done.
From our own @ShamsCharania, latest on Phoenix Suns‘ point guard pursuit, with Patrick Beverley as a top target. pic.twitter.com/RI2JZ2Cnli
— Stadium (@Stadium) September 17, 2018
Charania mentioned that the Suns have only been offering second-round picks in discussions but the Clippers are seeking a future first-round pick. In addition to having all of their own future first-round selections, the only other incoming future first-round pick they have is a 2019 pick from the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 2019 Bucks pick is protected from picks 1-3 and 17-30 in 2019, then is protected only 1-7 in 2020, and becomes unprotected in 2021. Since it is likely that Milwaukee will be too good next season for the pick to convey, it is viewed as most likely being a 2020 pick.
The Clippers have many point guards on their roster between Beverley, Shai Gilgeous Alexander, and Milos Teodosic along with many other guards like Avery Bradley, Jerome Robinson, and Tryone Wallace that need minutes too.
Phoenix has a log-jam of their own but it’s on the wing. They have Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, Trevor Ariza, T.J. Warren, and Troy Daniels. If the Suns aren’t willing to give up their Bucks pick, perhaps a three-team deal where they trade one of their wings like Warren to another team that is willing to give up a first-round pick could work?
Phoenix would be projected to have a starting lineup of Patrick Beverley, Devin Booker, Trevor Ariza, Ryan Anderson, and Deandre Ayton. They would have a significantly better jump shooting unit around their key pieces and each of their role players would be experienced veterans.
Their bench would likely include Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, Richaun Holmes, and Shaquille Harrison at least. It would not be surprising to see Dragan Bender see some minutes because it’s important to salvage his value, but they may need to play some of their wings at the small ball four spot and that could take away that opportunity for Bender.
