The Phoenix Suns have had a busy offseason reshaping their roster around Devin Booker, and at this point any additional roster moves that happen are only going to be because of an opportunity that is too good to turn down. Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors fit that category once upon a time, but any serious trade talks between the two sides broke down a long time ago.
This is because Phoenix just doesn't have many players that excite right now, although come the trade deadline that could be a different story. Their three most likely guys to be moved - Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and Nick Richards - the kind of players who a fringe contender swings for to try and add that extra guy for a playoff push.
Opportunity to add Devin Carter now a possibility for Suns.
As training camps edge closer around the league, one final name has emerged that the Suns should have huge interest in. Devin Carter of the Sacramento Kings, a player who this writer felt Phoenix should have been targeting long before the prospect of it actually happening was a possibility. But according to Jake Fischer, the Kings may move Carter to bring in none other than Russell Westbrook.
While signing Westbrook would be a disaster for Sacramento and totally on brand for that franchise, the Suns could gain a real asset out of this. Carter is only 23-years-old, is already a fine defensive player given he's only played one season in the league, and also plays the point guard position. That ticks a lot of boxes for the Suns as they look to build for the future.
He doesn't cost a lot of money and also addresses a clear need by playing the one, a spot that right now is likely Booker's to start the season. It is clear the front office are trying to build a more defensive-minded group moving forward, and Carter would fit in really well next to Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn and Mark Williams.
It is also clear that Carter has elite defensive potential, and Phoenix looks like a great place for that to potentially blossom. Obviously the fit next to Booker for that reason is excellent - so much better than Bradley Beal in the past for example - but Carter also makes a ton of sense as a foil for Jalen Green as well.
Given the Kings' inability to get out of their own way - and despite the lack of draft capital that the Suns have right now - a deal is surely possible here. Sacramento are likely trying to create space for Westbrook anyway, so it may be that two or three second round picks can get the two sides talking on a trade.
It is unclear what that would mean for Jared Butler in The Valley - or even Jordan Goodwin for that matter - but that would be a great problem to have. If the Suns want a medium to long-term solution at the point guard position - and one who loves the idea of defending elite playmakers - then they have to enquire about Carter as soon as possible. It has the chance to be their steal of the offseason.