Rumors: How the Phoenix Suns can acquire an Atlantic Division starting point guard

Philadelphia 76ers

Hello, Elton Brand? We’d like to talk to you about Ben Simmons.

*click*

Hello? Hello?

Okay, let’s be serious: the only point guard that the Suns could potentially get their hands on would be local product T.J. McConnell, and for many Suns fans they are totally alright with that.

McConnell is a good guard but what makes him most interesting in Phoenix is that he went to the University of Arizona and Wildcats fans become electric whenever McConnell is mentioned as a potential trade piece to the Phoenix Suns.

But would they trade him?

He’s basically their backup point guard (although they also have Markelle Fultz) and has never been given a real opportunity to prove that he can be a full-time starting point guard in the NBA. That said, the Sixers are trying to be as competitive as possible in the weaker Eastern Conference so they’d have to make sure that they’re not hurting themselves in the short term by moving him.

I have two presumptions on McConnell: at his peak he is probably better than Luke Ridnour who many Suns fans thought should have been Steve Nash‘s replacement. Having a player of that caliber on the Suns for a long time would be perfect because the offense would still entirely flow through Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, the way it needs to be.

And McConnell wouldn’t cost that much.

I bet that Phoenix could get him for picks alone and not need to give up any players other than whoever would be needed to allow McConnell fit on the roster.

If the Suns offered some combination of Troy Daniels, a protected first round pick, and a 2019 second round pick, something tells me that that might be enough to get the deal done.

The 76ers do not need McConnell and can use the luxury of his position on the roster to help fill another hole and work towards the future.

McConnell could very well be the point guard of the future in Phoenix and might be worth giving up a pick or two to make it happen.