Potential Fit
With the 13th pick in the draft, there is no way in hell that Phoenix will even sniff the opportunity of drafting Russell, so now we turn to the world of hypotheticals. Should the Suns consider trading up (they won’t) to potentially draft Russell (I think they won’t) and pair him with Eric Bledsoe to form a ridiculously dynamic backcourt?
Their trade partners would be either the Los Angeles Lakers at the second pick, or the Philadelphia 76ers with the third pick. To snag the third pick, the Suns would likely have to start with a package consisting of the Morris twins, two future first rounders and Archie Goodwin.
If Phoenix could do that deal with just two first round picks, I believe they would green light it in a heartbeat. However, the 76ers would be inheriting three NBA-ready players in this package (none of which are All-Star caliber, although Goodwin has potential) for a point guard that could be a franchise cornerstone. Denied.
Now on to those beloved Lakers. Any trade within a division is also going to cost more than elsewhere and that rule applies tenfold in this situation. For the Suns to take their rivals’ second pick in the draft — assuming they don’t want the head case package that is the Morris twins — the asking price would be the Suns’ first rounder (good with that), Archie Goodwin (ehh I don’t know, I have to think), and likely culminating with Eric Bledsoe or Alex Len (okay thanks for talking, goodbye.).
Russell isn’t happening this year Suns fans, but you probably already knew that.
Next: Conclusion