Phoenix Suns moves for the trade deadline: 4. Acquire shooters
The team should test the waters looking to go strong to acquire shooting depth.
Suns fans know that poor shooting can doom a playoff run — or an entire decade.
That said, this group is on fire, hitting 47 of 83 in the win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night — 56.6% — and, entering Wednesday’s games was second in the NBA in field-goal percentage at .489.
While a healthy serving of Devin Booker, Chris Paul, Mikal Bridges, playoff-savvy Jae Crowder, Dario “Steph Curry” Saric from long range and the two Cam shooting engine seem to offer enough marksmanship, basketball can be funny, and we’ve all seen things go cold in a hurry.
Langston Galloway and Abdel Nader have shown flashes, but the pre-trade-deadline market could yield more help.
Jones surely has his list of the best shooters who may become available, and there are a few names that could stir interest.
The most attractive — if long shot — possibility is a buyout of J.J. Redick. There is no doubt that at this stage of his career, he’s looking to be part of a strong playoff contender.
He’s not really moving the New Orleans Pelicans forward, with 8.7 points per game on only .364 shooting from 3-point range. He’ll turn 37 in June and has missed a week with a heel injury.
A change of scenery and the prospect of an extended playoff run serve as valuable recruiting tools.
New Orleans may be ready to set him free, and the cost to the Suns may prove to be digestible, if not appetizing.