Four Updated Potential Trade Targets for Suns
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns potentially experienced a breakthrough win on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sure, the Lakers have struggled mightily since their in-season tournament title in early December, but this was one of the few times this season where Phoenix put a nearly spotless 48-minute effort together.
It also marked the potential breakout of the old Bradley Beal that once averaged 30 points a night in consecutive seasons.
NBA on TNT's Chris Haynes corroborated a report during the game, claiming that the Suns are not looking for a point guard in the trade/buyout market, as they believe Devin Booker and Beal are strong enough playmakers to suffice and there doesn't need to be another ball-dominant player that could take the ball out of the star backcourt duo's hands.
Haynes believes Phoenix is strongly targeting an "athletic wing" instead, something the team may or may not have in Nassir Little.
While Little has flashed as a shot maker and off-ball defender, he isn't nearly consistent enough at this stage to feel good about making him a regular fixture in a playoff rotation.
With that being said - here are a few wing defenders that could become available in the coming weeks and would fit well in Phoenix
Note: These are players that can at least conceivably be acquired with the assets the Suns possess.
Jonathan Kuminga
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Kuminga - the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft - has had an up-and-down start to his career in San Francisco.
The wing was taken by Golden State under the premise that he could both contribute right away to the championship hopefuls while also developing into a franchise cornerstone for the post-Stephen Curry years.
While Kuminga has flashed the ability to be star, he hasn't necessarily been given ample opportunity to grow consistently.
This season in particular has been a rough one, as reports recently surfaced that Kuminga has lost faith in Warriors coach Steve Kerr's ability to maximize his talents and allowing him to grow as a player.
NBA insider Shams Charania added fuel to the fire after reporting in the last few days that while Golden State still values Kuminga, they would be open to moving any and every player on the roster outside of Curry.
Kuminga would perfectly fit the mold of what Suns general manager James Jones is looking for - the question is would Golden State willingly move him to an inter-division rival? Would his cost be low enough for the Suns to enter a bidding war should be become available?
It's at least worth keeping an eye on Kuminga regardless of outside circumstances.
Royce O'Neale
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O'Neale has been a popular name in Suns circles on social media recently as the Brooklyn Nets are seeing their season quickly slipping away following two poor weeks of basketball.
The talented wing could potentially be available as the deadline approaches, as the 30-year old has only started 6-of-37 possible games this season and doesn't exactly fit Brooklyn's timeline.
O'Neale was a key cog in the consistent Utah Jazz playoff squads and has become one of the faces of modern-day 3&D wings- he has never shot below 35% from deep in his career.
It's a valid question to wonder if Brooklyn's asking price would be too steep, though a wing that's on the wrong side of 30 and may not crack elite playoff teams' rotations could see a decline in value.
O'Neale should be at the top of the Suns' wish list going into the February trade deadline.
De'Andre Hunter
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The number four overall pick in the 2019 draft appears to be on the outs in Atlanta after years of ups-and-downs with the Hawks.
Hunter is currently dealing with yet another knee issue and will be re-evaluated next week - but he is by far having his most productive and efficient season of his career even with various injuries.
One of the most concerning parts of Hunter's first few seasons in the league has been his inability to stay healthy - the most games he's played in a season is 67 which came in the 2022-23 season.
Hunter's inability to stay consistently healthy and lack of tangible growth as a player may lower Atlanta's asking price- so Hunter is another name worth watching who could become available.
Ziaire Williams
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Williams is yet another disappointing former lottery pick in which could be seen as the player archetype Phoenix covets on the market - and could be a low-cost reclamation project after the Stanford product has failed to grow as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 10th pick in the 2021 draft arguably peaked as a rookie. Inconsistent shooting and a lack of growth on defense have been two big sticking points in his development according to many who follow the Grizzlies.
While Williams might not be as far along as the players previously mentioned, he has flashed enough to be worth taking a flier on and would - in all likelihood - come at the lowest cost out of these four names.
He also very well might fit the "athletic wing" trope the best out of the four.
The NBA trade deadline is February 8.
