The Phoenix Suns are having a deja vu experience as they limp into mid-January with an 11-34 record. Last season the Phoenix Suns finished the season 21-61 which was dead last in the Western Conference.
With less than a month before the February 7th trade deadline, the Suns need to consider making another trade. December 15th, the Washington Wizards agreed to trade Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers to the Phoenix Suns in return for Trevor Ariza, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Obviously, trading for Oubre was a brilliant move for the Suns who are struggling to provide help for Devin Booker. Oubre is an upcoming small forward who can play defense, shoot from long range and handle the ball.
Unfortunately, the recent trade may cause concern for Josh Jackson who is having a solid season. Jackson, 21, was selected in the first round of the 2017 draft with the fourth overall pick. Right now, interim general manager James Jones and Trevor Bukstein have a tough task and decision to make.
Needless to say, the Phoenix Suns need to upgrade at the point guard position in order to improve. Sadly, De'Anthony Melton and Elie Okobo are not getting the job done. Both guards average a combined total of 12.1 points and 6 assists per game which is putrid.
In order for Phoenix to take the next steps as a franchise, they need to acquire a point guard. Trading Jackson may be the only way for the franchise to acquire a first round pick or an elite point guard. Currently, Jackson is averaging 9.6 points, 4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Jackson is coming off the bench and is averaging 22.4 minutes per contest. Here are five teams that should consider making a trade offer to the Phoenix Suns.
5. Chicago Bulls
Jackson is signed until the summer of 2021 (RFA), which will benefit any team that trades for him. The first team that needs to consider trading for the Kansas product is the Chicago Bulls. Again, the primary goal for the Phoenix Suns is to upgrade at the point guard position.
Chicago needs to make an offer for Jackson considering that they are in a full rebuild. O yeah, Jabari Parker isn't necessarily working out like the front office envisioned. The Bulls can offer a few players that may entice the Suns to make a trade.
At the moment, the Bulls need to solidify their core moving forward. The Bulls need an energetic and athletic small forward who can play defense. As of now, Chicago has Chandler Hutchison (4.8), Wayne Selden Jr. (5.4) and Denzel Valentine (10.2) occupying the small forward position.
Although, the Bulls have plenty of young talent they could use an upgrade at the SF position (with the exception of Valentine). Trading for Josh Jackson will change the dynamic on the outside by adding another slasher who can run the break.
Clearly, the packaging of this deal may be a bit difficult but the names that may be included in this deal are Kris Dunn, Ryan Anderson, Robin Lopez and a first or second-round pick.
4. Detroit Pistons
Another team who needs to consider trading for Jackson is the Detroit Pistons. Before you scream of frustration and state how the team has Glenn Robinson III and Stanley Johnson at the small forward position consider how productive their offense is.
Obviously, this trade makes sense for the Pistons because of their desperation to find a third scoring option. Johnson is now playing his fourth year with Detroit. Unfortunately, this partnership has not panned out to the way fans thought it would.
If the Suns' front office pursued a trade with the Pistons, Stanley would possibly be included but one name that needs to be involved is Reggie Jackson. Of course, Reggie has been struggling with injury and trying to find his role on the team. At times the guard can be an elite or probably the most passive-aggressive starter in the league.
On the other hand, if the Pistons pursue Josh Jackson it would be a win for both sides. Phoenix would get a guard who can add to Booker, make plays for others and push the tempo. The only factor that may play a part is the huge contract extension that Reggie received from the Pistons in 2015.
Josh will help this Pistons team by stretching the wings on the break, playing defense and complementing Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. Not to mention he will mature from the coaching of Dwane Casey.
In order for this trade to work, the Pistons will need to add multiple players and a future pick. Both teams have the means to make this deal happen. However, the Pistons need to consider making this move to help save their season and future.
3. Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers need to consider trading Jackson for a multitude of reasons. First off, the Blazers are restricted in signing big name players because of their lack of cap space. Year after year, Portland finds themselves in the top of the Western Conference standings.
However, the team normally does not advance past the second round. C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard will both find themselves as unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2021. Needless to say, the Trail Blazers can only do so much in the foreseeable future.
At this point in time, the only way that the franchise can improve is by signing players at the veteran minimum, drafting or by trade (depending on incoming caps trade wise). Trading for Jackson is a smart move for the Blazers because of his ability to play defense, his scoring potential and the fact that he would be the third scoring option.
Surprisingly, playing behind Lillard and McCollum will help Jackson improve as a player. In Phoenix, Josh Jackson faces pressure to score and take the next steps as a player. But the 6-foot-8 forward is not in a good developmental environment. No disrespect to the organization but the Suns are in complete disarray and lack order. Over the last two years, they have fired their head coach and general manager.
Even though, Jackson would fit with the Blazers this probably wouldn't happen because of the lack of appealing draft picks and roster options. If trade talks were to happen the Blazers would need to include Seth Curry, Nik Stauskas, Evan Turner and a draft pick to say the least.
For the Suns, this deal will help because of the addition of Curry (who will fit the run and gun offesnse) and Stauskas who can knock down open shots.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Coupled with the first three teams on this list the Philadelphia 76ers should strongly consider going after Jackson. A trade between the 76ers and Suns including Jackson makes the most sense considering the current situations both teams are in.
Philadelphia is most likely going to part ways with Markelle Fultz who was taken number one overall in last year's draft, per CBS Sports' DJ Siddiqi. No to mention that the Suns expressed interest in the guard in late November. This trade will benefit both ball clubs for different reasons.
The Sixers need to move on this deal because of the fact that they can add another first round player without giving up a lot. In addition, Philadelphia is still in the dark as to whether or not Jimmy Butler will re-sign this summer. Based on the early drama with Butler and head coach Brett Brown he may be on his way to the west coast.
Trading for Jackson will secure another young talent and wing player for the 76ers. The fact that Ben Simmons plays point-forward allows the Sixers to play an unconventional lineup. Butler and Furkan Korkmaz man the small forward position and the team recently signed Corey Brewer to a 10-day contract.
A potential trade that includes Jackson will help Philadelphia add to their depth without spending too much money and they will add another piece to the future. Most importantly, Fultz will be traded to a team where he will be in the future plans.
Phoenix needs to consider this trade because they will acquire a point-guard without giving up too much. Both teams will save picks making this trade. Realistically the trade would only need to include Jackson and Fultz.
1. Dallas Mavericks
At the top of the list, the one team that needs to make a move on Josh Jackson is the Dallas Mavericks. After winning the NBA title in 2011, the franchise slowly declined and eventually started to go into a rebuild. Over the years, owner Mark Cuban struggled to attract and sign big name free agents.
After striking out on big name free agents, Cuban signed Wesley Matthews to a huge 4-year deal in 2015. The Mavs also signed Harrison Barnes to a 4-year $96 million deal. Both players have struggled to live up to their deals for the most part.
Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Dallas Mavericks were looking to move Dennis Smith Jr. The explosive guard will be heavily sought after. Dallas needs to consider trading for Jackson because of the fact that Matthews (2019) and Barnes (2020) will be free agents in the near future.
Trading for Jackson will help this Mavs team speed up their rebuild process while securing their future. After the 2018-19 season, Dallas will have more cap space to work with. This summer Matthews and DeAndre Jordan salaries will be cleared off the books.
Jackson can help this Dallas team now and pairing the young forward with head coach Rick Carlisle will help him develop as a player. This trade makes sense for the Suns because they can possibly obtain Smith Jr. (who is arguably a franchise guard).
The trade deadline is vastly approaching and front offices are drawing up plans to ship away, acquire and solidify their immediate futures. Teams can trade all the way until February 7th at 3 p.m.
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