Phoenix Suns: 3 Potential Midseason Trade Targets

The offseason shopping spree for the Phoenix Suns might appear over at this point. But even after dishing out nearly 50 million dollars to assemble their roster, it still feels a bit unstable and incomplete. Most player transactions indeed typically occur during this break between seasons, which might make additional team construction more difficult as we move closer to the 2021-22 season’s commencement.

However, other opportunities to build still do exist down the line.

Midseason trade pieces often become important components to championship rosters. In 2019, trade acquisition Marc Gasol helped anchor an all-time great Toronto Raptors defense which helped The North win its first title. Last season, former Sun PJ Tucker helped the Milwaukee Bucks win it all with his gritty defense after the Houston Rockets dealt him away. Way back in 2004, Rasheed Wallace also played an important role during an unlikely title run for the Detroit Pistons.

Several useful starter and rotation-level players often become available near the NBA’s trade deadline, as some teams begin to realize that they need to rebuild and try to get younger by gaining future draft capital, rather than pushing on.

The Suns already stand as strong title contenders for the upcoming season, making them buyers rather than sellers. But again, if they want to make that final leap, they still need to round out their roster a bit more.

To address any potential flaws that might become troublesome as the season progresses, the Suns could become active during the midseason trade deadline and make a few pivotal upgrades. Standing out from the crowd, these players might become available around said time, to which the Suns need to pounce on.

Phoenix Suns Midseason Trade Target: Jerami Grant

Having selected Cade Cunningham, Saddiq Bey, Killian Hayes, and Isaiah Stewart during the last two NBA Drafts, it feels fair to say the Pistons possess an extraordinarily bright future. This team looks likely to one day become an Eastern Conference threat, but they do still need some time to grow and develop.

During the 2020-21 season, where the Pistons finished with the Eastern Conference’s worst record, free agency signing Jerami Grant spearheaded the team. The Syracuse product enjoyed what became his best year as a pro by nearly all standards, as he averaged a career-high 22.3 points per game on near league-average efficiency with a 55.6 true shooting percentage.

Last summer, Grant passed on a deal to stay with the Denver Nuggets and instead joined the Pistons while searching for a bigger offensive role. Grant got his wish, but at the expense of winning, as he missed out on postseason basketball for the first time in five years.

Though unlikely, the possibility of Grant asking to play for a contender once again cannot be ruled out. But at the very least, we can expect the Pistons to try and cash out on Grant’s trade value, still putting up for grabs.

At 28-years-old, Grant remains at his peak age with only one year left on his contract past the 2021-22 season. Coming off a career season, Grant’s trade value also sits at its peak, and from Detroit’s perspective, he probably does not fit their long-term timeline dominated by rookies and second-year players.

If the Pistons once again find themselves drowning below the playoff threshold halfway through the season, it makes too much sense for them to at least try shopping Grant. So if he becomes available, the Suns need to snap on the opportunity, as his skillset fills multiple current roster flaws.

The Suns lacked aggressive slashers especially from the wing position last season. Thanks to his athleticism, Grant has always been a fantastic finisher and slasher.

Another flaw that a potential Grant trade solves for the Suns comes on the defensive end, where Grant remains one of the best point of attack defenders across the entire league. After losing Torrey Craig, the Suns need a guy like that now more than ever.

Combine both those attributes with Grant’s 3-point shooting and he becomes the perfect starting power forward to wear Phoenix threads.

Phoenix Suns Midseason Trade Target: Larry Nance Jr.

The Cleveland Cavaliers started shopping Larry Nance Jr. during the 2021 trade deadline, and from their perspective, the choice makes sense. The Cavs possess a big man logjam, as they picked Evan Mobley in the 2021 NBA Draft, extended Jarrett Allen to a long-term deal, and have yet to move Kevin Love’s big contract. Additionally, the Cavs look unequipped to contend in the short-term, where Nance Jr. definitely holds value.

But the Suns do stand ready to compete and contend in the short-term, so they need to step up and capitalize. Phoenix’s lacking playable size outside of Ayton became a huge weakness during this past postseason, especially while trying to guard Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, and even DeMarcus Cousins.

As a result, the Suns signed JaVale McGee. However, his minimal defensive mobility at this point in his career makes him a questionable playoff rotation player. McGee barely played any meaningful playoff minutes during his last two postseason runs, even after taking the floor often during the regular season.

But what makes Nance Jr. worth targeting? The high-flyer embodies one of the most underrated defenders across the entire league. He remains versatile enough to not only work as a disciplined wing on the perimeter, but also carries the wingspan and defensive IQ to play center.

He contains well on drives from players bearing all frames. His quick hands make him a true unicorn defender at his position as well. Among all players with at least 1000 minutes in the 2020-21 season, Nance Jr. ranked fifth in steals per 100 possessions, and the highest among all power forwards.

Nance Jr. also provides something unique on the offensive end as a big with his excellent passing technique, validated by his backpicks passer rating which ranks in the 86th percentile. He also stretches the floor as a shooter, potentially giving the Suns a chance to play a potent five-out lineup with Ayton resting.

Unlike Jerami Grant, Nance Jr.’s trade value will only fall the longer he stays stuck in Cleveland’s big man logjam. Wait until the right time, and then go after Nance Jr. with everything.

Phoenix Suns Trade Target: Joe Ingles

Joe Ingles’s skillset remains one suitable for most contending teams as a smart wing who makes plays, shoots, and defends.

Last season, he became a top bench talent in the league and a Sixth Man of the Year finalist. He also averaged 12.1 points and 4.7 assists per game while true shooting 67.8 percent. That certainly makes trading him a surprising task for the Utah Jazz, but nonetheless, one which they might need to conduct

Ingles is 34-years-old, attached an expiring contract, and on a team that last made a Conference Finals appearance 14 years ago. Similar to the Suns, the Jazz need to to upgrade their roster to contend, and when looking to make a trade, you typically look at players with expiring contracts like Ingles before anyone else.

A direct trade between the Suns and Jazz remains quite unlikely. However, the Suns could involve a third team to even things out and still land Ingles.

While the Suns remain loaded at the wing position, they do lack some high caliber playmaking from it—which Ingles provides. Additionally, Ingles’s high IQ decision-making, disciplined team defense, and great shot-making fits perfectly with Phoenix’s already established identity.