Latest Trade Rumors: Suns Active, Could Pursue Former Player
The Phoenix Suns are not satisfied with their 22-18 start to the season, and it's starting to show in large-scale national reports.
Turner Sports' Chris Haynes recently reported the Suns would prioritize an athletic wing on the trade market over a point guard.
Yahoo Sports' insider Jake Fischer expanded on things he's heard around the league recently, and is reporting Phoenix is dangling a pair of role players to gauge their values on the market along with the possibility of targeting a former player on the buyout market.
From Fischer:
"Phoenix continues to be mentioned as one of the more active teams on the trade market, hoping to find rotational upgrades behind its Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. The Suns have explored what the combination of Grayson Allen and Nassir Little could bring back to The Valley, sources said, though the Suns have only four second-round picks at their disposal, and Allen has been arguably Phoenix’s most important player this season behind Durant and Booker."
The development of Phoenix potentially being willing to part with Allen may not be shocking, but it could certainly be disappointing to Suns fans.
As Fischer said, Allen has likely been the Suns' most important player this season outside of superstars in Durant and Booker.
As much as Suns fans may dislike moving on from Allen after just a half a season in the Valley, it might be a necessary move.
Phoenix does own Allen's Bird rights and can offer him a hefty market-value level contract this summer, but the main concern with this squad is possibly the fact that four of their top six players are backcourt players.
If Suns general manager James Jones sees a clear wing or big upgrade that could be had for Allen and Little, he could be hard-pressed to not make a move.
On the player Phoenix could have interest in once the buyout market opens:
"The Clippers’ P.J. Tucker remains a strong trade candidate, with the Wizards being mentioned as a possible landing spot," Fischer said.
"Washington would offer the opportunity of a buyout for Tucker. The Suns and Bucks are two teams considered possible homes for Tucker if he were to become a free agent, sources said."
Tucker's time in Los Angeles appears to be coming to a close, and he could be a solid fit in Phoenix if he were to be bought out. Though Tucker is a shell of the player he used to be, he would bring some much needed intensity and leadership to the locker room and is still generally well-liked by the Suns' fan base.
