The Phoenix Suns went all-in by acquiring Bradley Beal this summer. Their Big 3 has still not played together, but no team wants to face them in the playoffs if they are healthy. Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are two of the top 15 players in the world. Beal remains an elite scorer, but do the Suns have enough depth to win it all?
They had to get creative to round out their roster, including trading former number-one overall pick DeAndre Ayton. Multiple role players have stepped up, but they only have six trusted rotation players at this stage. Can the Suns add one more? They will be active in the trade market and have shown no qualms about spending to improve their roster.
Trade talks will heat up on Dec. 15 as players who signed in the offseason become eligible to be moved. With a fresh batch available, here is a look at who the Suns should try to land.
5. Lonnie Walker IV
Phoenix added a bunch of wings to round out their roster, and new head coach Frank Vogel is still experimenting with his rotations.
Eric Gordon has been outstanding as a shot-maker and scorer. Teams are selling out to stop the stars, and it is leaving him wide open. The 35-year-old is playing over 32 minutes per game, and the franchise would love to add another trusted option to keep the veterans run in check.
Walker IV is dealing with a hamstring injury that is expected to sideline him for a few weeks. He should be back by Christmas and was playing the best basketball of his career before the injury. The 6’4 guard averages 14.6 points and 2.6 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 46.3 percent on his 3-point attempts. Now imagine the open looks flanking KD, Book, and Beal in the Valley of the Sun.
The Nets are stuck in the middle and could go in multiple different directions before the trade deadline. If they decide to sell, Walker IV’s one-year deal figures to make him expendable, but he won’t be the only player on the block.