With the trade deadline this Thursday and the Phoenix Suns having a gaping hole at point guard, there is one intriguing option on the table.
It’s no secret that the Phoenix Suns are struggling this season and a lot of that is due to the fact that the only point guards on the current roster would probably get 10 to 15 minutes per game on good teams, if they were lucky. That isn’t to say that DeAnthony Melton and Elie Okobo aren’t good young players and they very well could be decent role players down the line. But, they aren’t the catalysts at the position to launch this team forward nor help their teammates much at this point.
Phoenix Suns
A solid point guard doesn’t just need to be a scorer and the right one to place next to Devin Booker should actually be one that can play good defense as well as be a facilitator that will make teammates better. That’s why Lonzo Ball is liked by so many Suns fans. He needs a lot of work on his shot but he’s a strong defensive player that finds the open man and can pile up assists.
Let’s say, for whatever reason, Phoenix doesn’t get their hands on Lonzo. That doesn’t mean they stop looking, rather they need to be ready for the next course of action. Also, if it takes too long to wait for Ball, the team needs to make another move instead of just sitting around.
That move should be to acquire Kris Dunn. He’s a strong defensive player, a good play maker that helps his teammates score and is actually a better shooter than Lonzo is. He’s also only 24 years old and is locked up on a cheap contract until 2020 free agency, where he will be a restricted free agent and his team will hold all the cards when it comes to retaining him or not.
Dunn’s stats for this season display a 43-36-79 shooting line for 12 points, 6.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks with 2.5 turnovers per game. He’s only made 16 three pointers this year but he has the ability to shoot from downtown and if he came to Phoenix, Igor Kokoskov could work with him like he did with T.J. Warren and possibly make that a strong part of his game. He’s 6-foot-4, which gives him good size for the position, rebounds the ball very well and is exactly what the Suns need in a point guard.
According to multiple sources, he has been made available via trade. Phoenix would be wise to pick up the phone and inquire on him. What would a trade for him look like, though?
The Bulls would likely want an upgrade at the wing. They tried giving Jabari Parker a chance, but it didn’t really work out with him and he soon won’t be on their roster any more. T.J. Warren is a similar type of player, but a much better three point shooter and would be a better fit in Chicago. He’s only 25-years-old and locked up on a reasonable contract. The Suns would also throw in their second round pick, which with their record, is almost like a late first.
Robin Lopez and Troy Daniels are just for cap filler and are both on expiring contracts. Neither team really has a use for those two players any more. Both may be bought out and have a shot to go to a playoff team.
This would be a very wise move for both teams and Phoenix should call Chicago to see if a deal can be made.