Could the Phoenix Suns steal the best remaining free agent?

The Phoenix Suns have a deep roster ready to contend for the NBA championship next season, yet the point-guard position has been a well recognized area of need as the offseason progresses.

While no major reports have emerged identifying who the Suns could be interested in, a number of names have been circulated as potential additions.

With the Phoenix Suns having a need for another point-guard, could they look at the top of the remaining free agent pool?

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Collin Sexton is the biggest name left on the board, with player and franchise unable to agree on a new contract.

According to Cavaliers reporter Chris Fedor on the latest episode of The Lowe Post, the 23-year-old is looking for an annual salary upwards of $20 million a season. At this stage, Cleveland’s best offer has been a three-year, $40 million deal.

That leaves the door open for other potential suitors, not that many teams have the financial capacity to make a suitable offer. That includes the Suns whose re-signing of Deandre Ayton put the team into the luxury tax for the first since 2009-10.

But the Suns do have the means of being able to entice Sexton while then orchestrating a sign-and-trade. There’s no doubt he views himself as a starting calibre player in this league, and while there wouldn’t be one in Phoenix right away, Chris Paul’s advanced age could open the opportunity in coming years.

Paying Sexton anywhere between $15-20 million per season could be viewed as irresponsible. He’s coming off a major injury, a torn meniscus keeping him to just 11 games last season. There’s also question marks on his scoring efficiency, playmaking, and defensive limitations as 6’1″ guard.

He did average 24.3 points per game during his third season in the league, demonstrating an ability to score in a variety of ways. If he were willing to come off the bench initially, then he’d likely become a candidate for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.

In terms of a sign-and-trade, Phoenix do have the contracts of Dario Saric and Landry Shamet that equate to nearly $20 million. However, it’s unlikely Cleveland want to go into the luxury tax this season, especially when those two are seen as bench pieces.

That’s what makes the situation so intriguing. Cleveland would likely not match any better offer, but few teams are capable of doing so without orchestrating a sign-and-trade. Sexton has a qualifying offer of $7 million and he may need to simply take that, rehabilitate his value, then see what the market is like for him in 12 months.

While acquiring Sexton seems far fetched, approaching his management to gauge the state of play might not be the worst idea for James Jones and the Suns front office.