The Phoenix Suns have set their sights on LA Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley to play alongside phenom Devin Booker this season, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“They're looking for a point guard and I've been told they've been targeting Clippers guard Patrick Beverley,” said Charania. “He's been at the top of their list of free-agency point guard targets, but Beverley is a culture-setter … the Suns view him as a guy that could come in and play a very good complementary role to Devin Booker.”
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
Charania drew comparisons to the role Beverley played alongside former Houston Rockets teammate James Harden, often making up for the reigning MVP's defensive woes. Trevor Ariza, who was another one of his former teammates, could potentially be recruiting him to play for the Suns, after signing a one-year, $15 million deal with the team early in the free agency period.
The Clippers are reportedly seeking a first-round pick in exchange for Beverley, knowing the Suns are in dire need of a proven floor general after trading Brandon Knight, letting Elfrid Payton go in free agency and waiving Tyler Ulis days before they offered Booker a five-year, $158 million max extension.
So far, Phoenix has only been willing to offer a second-rounder for Beverley, but the franchise will likely have to bid more aggressively for the defensive ace if they hope to secure his services before the start of training camp.