The Phoenix Suns' front office has been trying to trade for a starting point guard for weeks now, but to no avail because of other teams' insistence on acquiring an unprotected first-round pick as part of any deal. The team's general manager, Ryan McDonough, was fired Monday amidst the Suns' failure to have successful negotiations for a quality point guard.

Via ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski:

McDonough's tenure was met with immediate success, but difficulties with trades and draft picks short-circuited tenure. McDonough has been pursuing a starting-level point guard in marketplace, only to have many teams holding Suns up for an unprotected first-round pick in talks.

Article Continues Below
More Phoenix Suns News
San Antonio Spurs point guard Chris Paul (3) looks on during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
NBA rumors: Chris Paul reunion with Suns or Clippers is a possibilityTroy Finnegan ·
Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Footprint Center
Suns’ Bradley Beal trade buzz gets reality check from Jake FischerZachary Weinberger ·
Khaman Maluach stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the tenth pick by the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center.
Rich Paul told Mat Ishbia he’d steer Khaman Maluach to SunsMalik Brown ·
Khaman Maluach in a Suns jersey smiling with general manager Brian Gregory smiling next to him.
Why Khaman Maluach ‘fits in exactly’ with new Suns cultureHayden Cilley ·
May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Jase Richardson talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Orlando Magic’s Jase Richardson headlines 5 biggest steals of 2025 NBA Draft Round 1Rishav Bhat ·
Phoenix Suns general manager Brian Gregory during an introductory press conference at the Verizon 5g Performance Center.
Suns trade up to No. 31 with Timberwolves draft dealAlex House ·

The Suns' main concerns are focused on getting an excellent playmaker, thanks to the bevy of point guards that they let go this offseason. They surprisingly released Tyler Ulis and also shipped Brandon Knight to the Houston Rockets, leaving a gaping hole in their backcourt.

Currently, the free-agent pool does not offer a quality point guard who could start right away for any team. That leaves the Suns with no choice but to scour the trade market. They have been linked to numerous players in trade rumor reports, including Kemba Walker, Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker Terry Rozier, Jeff Teague, Spencer Dinwiddie, Patrick Beverley, Cory Joseph and Tyus Jones, but nothing has come to fruition.

If the Suns are really bent on negotiating a deal for a quality playmaker, their future draft pick assets could be an effective bait. But for now, it seems like Phoenix doesn't want to give up an unprotected first-round pick.