Phoenix Suns: Top 5 Potential Trade Targets

Honorable Mentions:

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Suns trade: Isaiah Thomas and Miles Plumlee
Hornets trade: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Bismack Biyombo

The Suns need to improve defensively, and a young player like MKG, not to mention a more defensive backup center like Biyombo, accomplishes that. The only problem is the Suns are an offensive juggernaut and Kidd-Gilchrist still can’t shoot. Phoenix would need a small/power forward who can spread the floor, even if MKG would be an upgrade over P.J. Tucker defensively and on the glass.

Kidd-Gilchrist is a nice target in theory, and the Suns have a point guard to spare, which the Charlotte Hornets need right now with Kemba Walker injured. But most Phoenix fans would probably rather keep Isaiah Thomas and Miles Plumlee than trade for two offensively inept players, especially since there’d be a logjam at small forward with MKG, Tucker and Marcus Morris.

Kevin Love/Carmelo Anthony

Suns trade: Isaiah Thomas, Brandan Wright and Gerald Green
Cavaliers trade: Kevin Love and Shawn Marion

Last summer, these were two of the top four targets on Phoenix’s radar (with the other two being LeBron James and Chris Bosh). But Melo is making $22.4 million this year and is locked into a max contract, so to make an offer to the New York Knicks, the Suns would have to sell the farm, making this a very hard bargain.

As for Love, the Suns could put something together like the trade above (hooray for the hypothetical return of Shawn Marion!), but whatever inclination the Cleveland Cavaliers had buried deep down to trade their power forward is likely gone now that they’re on an 11-game win streak. Plus, that would give the Cavs WAY too much wing depth…and would they really be comfortable downgrading from Love to Tristan Thompson or Brandan Wright? They’d have to demand Markieff Morris, wouldn’t they?

Also, Love is a free agent this summer, and the Suns would be giving up quite a lot for a player who would not be a guaranteed re-sign, especially with Goran Dragic also being a free agent. Both of these options would bring a bonafide superstar to Phoenix, but the Suns would have to gut their roster to make it happen.

Tobias Harris

Suns trade: Isaiah Thomas
Magic trade: Tobias Harris

Harris is an intriguing option on the wing for a young team like the Suns. He’s only 22 years old, he’s already a great scorer and an excellent rebounder and with Orlando’s logjam on the wing, it’s possible they would prefer a more sound option at point guard in Isaiah Thomas over their rookie Elfrid Payton, who is still very young but has a long way to go toward being a serviceable shooter.

However, Harris is a free agent this summer and the New York Knicks are expected to be a major player for a guy who has already said he’d like to win a championship with the Knicks. That means the Suns would be giving up I.T. (or Gerald Green, another possible option) for a guy who would probably receive max offers elsewhere. A good fit, but an unlikely one long-term.

Thaddeus Young

Suns trade: P.J. Tucker and Gerald Green
Timberwolves trade: Thaddeus Young

Thaddeus Young really shouldn’t be a part of Minnesota’s long-term plans with all that young talent they have on the roster, and he’d likely be a better fit in Phoenix playing for a team that is much closer to taking that next step in the Western Conference. But Young is also shooting about 29 percent from three-point range isn’t not worth losing both Green AND Tucker.

Tucker would be a nice locker room presence, and who can deny how awesome the Timberwolves would be to watch if they added another phenomenal in-game dunker like G-Air-ld? But there’s little incentive for either team to pursue a deal like this, even if Green is as good as gone at this point.

Wilson Chandler

Suns trade: P.J. Tucker
Nuggets trade: Wilson Chandler

I honestly have no idea what the Denver Nuggets are trying to accomplish when they should be stripping this team down to its bare essentials, but perhaps a move like this — shedding $1 million in salary — would tempt them? Even though Tucker has an extra year on his contract compared to Chandler, it’s possible, right?

This move really wouldn’t improve either team, though. The Suns would be trading a locker room leader and fan favorite for a good wing, but one who would threaten the chemistry. However, since Chandler’s name has come up recently as someone who should be on Phoenix’s radar, I felt the need to address it.

Next: No. 5