The Phoenix Suns face a difficult offseason due to their salary cap restraints, but despite that, they need to make some roster changes and could do so with a trade.
The Suns suffered a first-round exit in the 2024 NBA Playoffs after being swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves. In the 2023 offseason, they acquired star guard Bradley Beal to pair with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. But Beal only appeared in 53 games this season, and his fit didn't pan out alongside Durant and Booker. However, the Suns are stuck with this pairing as Beal has three years remaining on his deal for $160 million, with a player option in the third season.
Beal also has a no-trade clause, which makes it impossible for the Suns to move him unless he approves the trade.
With three expensive players on the roster, Phoenix must build around them with limited assets and flexibility. The Suns have already made a big change, firing Frank Vogel after just one season as their head coach. They have brought in former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer as their next head coach. Budenholzer will look to get the most out of the big three and surrounding talent.
However, it will be up to general manager James Jones and the Suns front office to build a better roster.
With that in mind, here are three early Suns trade targets in the 2024 NBA offseason after getting swept.
Phoenix acquires Davion Mitchell
The Suns are extremely limited in a potential trade, but Davion Mitchell would be an ideal fit. Mitchell has seen his numbers dip since his rookie campaign but provides tenacious defense.
While Mitchell is streaky on offense, the defense he can provide is much-needed alongside the Suns Big 3. Phoenix doesn't have much to move, but they have the contract of forward Nassir Little, who has three years remaining on his four-year, $28 million deal. Little only appeared in 45 games, averaging 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 46 percent from the field and 30 percent from three.
The 24-year-old did not prove to play at the value of his contract. Little has shown flashes of being a solid two-way forward in the past, which could be intriguing for the Sacramento Kings, who need more size.
Mitchell would be the defensive point guard that the Suns need. The former first-round pick averaged 5.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, shooting 45.2 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from deep.
His point-of-attack defense could help them contain the opposing team's top guards, making him an ideal trade target.
Suns trade for Marcus Sasser
Another point guard who the Suns should target is Marcus Sasser. Sasser had a solid rookie campaign with the Detroit Pistons, averaging 8.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 42.8 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from downtown.
Sasser is a quality two-way guard who is only 23 years old and will fill their need at point guard.
The tricky part of acquiring Sasser would be getting the Pistons on board with moving him. Sasser excelled in his first season and is on his rookie deal for three more seasons.
It would likely take the Suns moving their first-round pick this season or their 2031 first-round pick, which becomes eligible to be moved on draft night.
Suns owner Mat Ishbia has shown he will go all-in for the Suns to win, which is why they could part more draft capital for an impactful young player like Sasser.
Suns pick up Nick Richards
Although the point guard position needs to be upgraded, Phoenix needs more depth all around. A backup center on a cheap deal is Nick Richards.
The 26-year-old averaged 9.7 points, eight rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game and shot 69.1 percent from the field. Richards is in the second year of a three-year deal worth $15 million. This is a manageable contract for which the Suns could make a deal.
Richards's strong rebounding, shot-blocking, and efficient shooting make him an ideal trade target for Phoenix.
The Suns have a challenging offseason ahead as they are limited in the moves they can make. With their limited assets, role players like Mitchell, Sasser, and Richards should be at the top of their trade targets.
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