The Phoenix Suns finished the 2017-2018 season with the NBA’s worst record and, with some luck in the draft lottery, landed the No. 1 overall pick used to select Deandre Ayton in June. As a result, it would seem natural that the Suns are in the midst of a rebuilding process that might need more time to bear fruit, but, after Phoenix acquired Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson (among others) during the summer, there are now real expectations for the team to make a significant leap forward sooner rather than later.
Unfortunately for the Suns, the team’s best player, Devin Booker, is now dealing with the effects of hand surgery and, while he is set to return early in the 2018-2019 campaign, that isn’t the best start. The bigger issue for the team’s “win now” mandate, though, is the lack of a starting-caliber point guard and Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium brings word of Phoenix’s internal plans to change that.
In short, it appears the Suns are focusing on Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley as their top target on the trade market.
From our own @ShamsCharania, latest on Phoenix Suns‘ point guard pursuit, with Patrick Beverley as a top target. pic.twitter.com/RI2JZ2Cnli
— Stadium (@Stadium) September 17, 2018
The Clippers have a logjam in the backcourt that was magnified by the selection of two guards (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson) in the lottery during June’s draft. As a result, it makes sense that Los Angeles may be looking to garner value by dealing Beverley but, as noted by Charania in the video above, the Clippers also have reason to believe that they should hold out for more than the reported offer of a second round pick from Phoenix.
On the court, the marriage between Beverley and the Suns would be a strong one, particularly given the potential partnership with Booker in the backcourt. Beverley isn’t a dynamic offensive creator but the 30-year-old is a career 37.6 percent shooter from three-point range and he brings an intense, defense-first persona to a team that desperately needs that skill set. The veteran would be able to function off the ball offensively, letting Booker handle the primary play-making, and Beverley (who is bargain with a $5 million price tag) could defend opposing point guards in a way that makes sense.
Of course, the Clippers don’t have to deal Beverley to the Suns and this is simply something to monitor on the eve of training camps opening across the league. It is tough to take Phoenix too seriously as a team looking to improve in the short term without more established point guard play but, with their sights reportedly set on Beverley, fireworks could arrive.
