EMPIRE OF THE SUNS

Report: Suns dangling second-round picks in point guard search

Sep 17, 2018, 11:45 AM | Updated: 1:16 pm

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)...

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Now isn’t the best time for the Phoenix Suns to make trades.

But considering their desperate need for a starting-caliber point guard, it’s put them in a tough position where they just might have to.

General manager Ryan McDonough is on the hunt for a point guard, but a quiet market and the known fact that Phoenix needs to fill the position hasn’t helped them seek out value.

As John Gambadoro reported for 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station two weeks ago, the Suns have discussed interest in Patrick Beverley of the Clippers, Cory Joseph of the Pacers and Spencer Dinwiddie of the Nets.

Beverley has the best resume for what Phoenix needs — defense and shooting — and Stadium’s Shams Charania reported Monday he remains one of their top targets.

Charania also reports that the Suns are only shopping second-round picks in their search for a deal.

“The issue is price, asking price,” Charania said. “The Clippers, just like every other team that knows Phoenix needs a point guard, wants a first-round pick.”

The Suns aren’t going to rush a move that could be more costly than it should be.

“We’re evaluating options,” McDonough told Bickley & Marotta last Tuesday. “We’re trying to be deliberate and strategic, and just make sure it makes sense — if we are to do a deal — in the short- and long-term.”

Beverley stands as a reasonable target for a stalemate to be broken.

While the Clippers know the Suns need a point guard, the Suns know the Clippers don’t need Beverley. Los Angeles drafted Kentucky point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and scoring guard Jerome Robinson this offseason. They join a group of guards that also includes Avery Bradley, Milos Teodosic, Jawun Evans, Sindarius Thornwell and Lou Williams.

That makes Beverley, who is coming off microfracture and meniscus surgery on his knee, expendable and easily tradable with an expiring and non-guaranteed $5 million owed to him this coming season.

The issue is timing. The Suns, after all, used a second-round pick to acquire Elfrid Payton from the Orlando Magic, but that was at the 2018 trade deadline.

“This is an issue that’s going to resolve itself before training camp, I believe,” Charania said of the Suns’ point guard search.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Empire of the Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

4 hours ago

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns argues a call with official Pat Fraser n the first half as Jere...

Kellan Olson

Suns stumble through latest inexcusable effort, lose to shorthanded Spurs

The Phoenix Suns followed up Saturday's win over the San Antonio Spurs with Monday's offering being more of what we've come to expect.

2 days ago

Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns drives in front of Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs i...

Kellan Olson

Phoenix Suns find better energy for clinical win over Spurs

The Phoenix Suns were overdue for a win like Saturday's 131-106 final over the San Antonio Spurs, taking care of business early.

4 days ago

Jusuf Nurkic #20 of the Phoenix Suns passes over Kyle Lowry #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the...

Kellan Olson

Suns work through typical turnover problems to defeat 76ers

The Phoenix Suns dealt with some of their usual issues while managing a comfortable win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

7 days ago

Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on prior to the game against the Miami Heat at FTX ...

Kellan Olson

Isaiah Thomas returns to NBA, Suns after injuries derailed his career in its prime

Isaiah Thomas' NBA journey is a unique one. Here's how he thinks he can help the 2023-24 Phoenix Suns in a return to the league.

8 days ago

Phoenix Suns head coach Frank Vogel looks on during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics  ...

Kellan Olson

Suns in serious jeopardy of play-in tournament fate entering last month of season

You wouldn't have guessed it by watching them over the last two games but the Phoenix Suns are in a precarious position.

8 days ago

Report: Suns dangling second-round picks in point guard search