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Should the Phoenix Suns revisit Luke Kennard trade talks?

By Tyler Knight

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 09: Luke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons in action against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on December 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 09: Luke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons in action against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on December 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The Phoenix Suns almost traded for Luke Kennard before the trade deadline. Would they be willing to revisit those talks with Detroit?

Before the February NBA trade deadline, the Phoenix Suns were looking to trade for Like Kennard, and now after a successful run in the bubble, Phoenix may look back and give more thought to trading for the young shooting guard.

Luke Kennard is a bright young piece that the Suns would probably love to have as Devin Booker’s backup. This past season for Detroit, Kennard averaged 15.8/3.5/4.1 on 44.2/39.9/89.3 shooting splits. Kennard has shown the ability to run an offense all the while still getting his points without forcing anything. Bench players should be the Suns’ most important focus this offseason, especially with their ability to create cap room. Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio are obviously going to be starting for the Suns next season, assuming the Suns do not trade Rubio away, and having Kennard to play the backup two would be as close to a Sixth Man of the Year candidate as the Suns could get.

Luke Kennard would be a good fit for the Phoenix Suns.

Kennard could prove to be a great fit for the Valley Boyz and may end up being a key piece on a future Phoenix playoff team. Luke has the ability to play the one through three and can either play off the ball or be the primary ball-handler when needed.

Jevon Carter and Cameron Payne played amazing in Orlando and will probably get a chance to prove themselves as the bench point guards next season, but Kennard could still play alongside either of them. James Jones may decide not to go after a backup point guard this offseason, and the Suns could probably get away with it. Carter and Payne showed the ability to hound on defense, shoot the 3, and run the floor. Combining that with Kennard’s offensive abilities along with probably Cam, Saric, and Baynes would definitely help the Suns play competitive winning basketball.

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Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Suns and Pistons halted talks centered around Kennard due to the inability to agree on protections for the Suns’ first-round pick. The NBA Draft Lottery has passed and Detroit will be picking seventh, while the Suns have the tenth draft pick, now that both teams know their draft placing, they may be more open to finishing the deal. The Pistons would have two top ten picks plus maybe a player like Ty Jerome, Frank Kaminsky (if they want to dump his $5 million deal and commit to Dario), or maybe Elie Okobo.

It seems like Detroit was ready to part ways with Kennard if Phoenix would have agreed to their protection demands, and after a disaster of a season for Detroit, Troy Weaver may be looking to make some big moves during his first offseason.

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