Valley of the Suns
Fansided

The two most likely lottery spots the Suns could trade into

By Adam Maynes

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 09: Collin Sexton #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates in the 81-63 win over the Auburn Tigers during the quarterfinals round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 9, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 09: Collin Sexton #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates in the 81-63 win over the Auburn Tigers during the quarterfinals round of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 9, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 20: A general view of the Los Angeles Clippers logo on the floor of the Staples Center before the game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers on October 20, 2015 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 20: A general view of the Los Angeles Clippers logo on the floor of the Staples Center before the game between the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers on October 20, 2015 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Clippers at 13

The Clippers are an interesting trade target because they have the two back-to-back picks at 12 and 13, and thus they might be willing to move one back a little (a maximum of four spots) for an additional pick somewhere else9I would assume the 31st pick, and/or the aforementioned Milwaukee pick.

For the Suns, if there is a point guard in particular that they have their eyes on, one who they believe is going to be available at 12 or 13, then moving up those three to four spots will be their best bet to snag him.

Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns /

Phoenix Suns

A couple of point guards will most certainly not be available when the Clippers select, Luka Doncic and Trae Young. However, there is a chance that either one of Collin Sexton and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be – if not possibly both.

The key for this trade to happen is if both teams believe that they can get what they want at either spot.

For the Suns, if both point guards are available by the time the Clippers are on the clock at 12, then there is a very solid chance that a trade can be made.

If only one of Sexton or Gilgeous-Alexander are available by the time the Clippers are on the clock and L.A. is targeting a PG, then the Suns are out of luck. They will need to traded up ahead of the Clippers to guarantee themselves that opportunity to select one (which L.A. might try to jump up as well if they are targeting a particular PG and they want to guarantee availability).

However, if both point guards happen to be available at 12 and the Clippers want one in particular, and they know that the Suns are targeting a point guard as well, then they will only move the 13th pick rather than the 12th so that they can select the one that they prefer and leave the Suns with the final of the top four PG’s.

Next: If LeBron chooses LA, should the Suns swing for Lonzo?

Certainly if this conversation is one that is going to happen, both teams will let each other know who they are planning on selecting to make that decision-process easier. If the Suns say that they are aiming for the PG that the Clippers want, then L.A. will only offer the 13th pick. If the Suns say they want the point guard that the Clippers aren’t targeting, then the Suns will only need to trade for the 13th pick anyway, which will cost a hair less than 12.

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