As much as everybody is excited for the season to start, no team wants to be in the Phoenix Suns’ shoes right now. With teams finalizing rosters and getting ready for training camp, they are still stuck searching for a quality point guard to steer their young talent-laden team.
Having all talented pieces like Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, and Josh Jackson just wing it may seem like a good problem to some, but a captain-less ship doesn’t exactly get to its destination right away or it doesn’t get to it at all. As talented as Shaquille Harrison, Ellie Okobo, and De’Anthony Melton is, it doesn’t really spell next level for the team.
Despite the Suns being temporarily in their point guard frenzy stage, the Los Angeles Clippers may actually have a decent solution to their dilemma.
In the midst of all the rumors regarding guards around the league and the Suns search for one, a hypothetical trade between the two teams might get their teams going forward.
The Suns send TJ Warren and a future second rounder to the Clippers for Milos Teodosic and Wesley Johnson. Glaring roster needs are evidently seen as the season opener nears. Who will say NO to the trade?
Why this is good for the Clippers
It was fun while it lasted; the Lob City era finally comes to an end without Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and Deandre Jordan in sight. Unknowingly to most, the Clippers just initiated a mild reboot of their franchise. It may seem that they are headed to nowhere with their current roster, but the brilliantly planned deconstruction is part of the new direction they are headed.
The Clippers are planning to be the team with the most cash to spend next summer. In the loaded free agency of 2019 which will be headlined by names like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Jimmy Butler, their recent roster moves and signings could open up to $70 million by that time, which is good for two max offers for franchise players.
If they play their cards right, we could just see two big names sign for the other Hollywood franchise other than the Lakers. Despite the vision, they might have a bit of a problem right now.
Giving the Clippers headaches is their current roster that is over the league maximum of 15 players.
They will need to make the necessary adjustments while not hampering their 2019 free agency masterplan. Given the recent draft choices of the Clippers are point guards, the only logical thing to assume is they are moving some of their older point guards.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old TJ Warren gives them a young piece to work on. He had a breakout year last season averaging 19.6 points per game. Lacking a consistent three-point shot and the motor on defense, he is far from a finished project. His physical tools and talent have the potential to turn into something good if they manage to develop him properly.
The future second rounder in the mix will only be as valuable as how the drafted player performs. Nonetheless, having an additional asset will always be a good thing.
How this makes sense for the Suns
The talent brewing in the desert is desperate to have a veteran leader who can facilitate and mentor the young team. You factor in the familiarity and admiration of their new head coach, Igor Kokoskov in Teodosic’s European exploits, and you might have a winner of the point guard hunt bonanza.
Despite having just one year of NBA basketball under his belt, Teodosic is a legend in the international ranks. When healthy, he is capable of being one of the best and most flamboyant passers in the NBA. His collection of fancy passes may just be the attraction the Suns need to be relevant in the West again.
Surrounded by a collection of young promising talent, it would be interesting how Teodosic utilizes the team at his disposal.
In relation, adding Clipper wing Wesley Johnson gives them a third-string three-and-D guy behind Trevor Ariza and Darrell Arthur. What he brings to the table doesn’t really tip the meter significantly in any direction. Despite just being a necessary addition to balance the cap space, he provides some needed insurance just in case unfortunate injuries happen to their primary wings during the season.
Who says NO to the trade?
Weighing the needs of each team and how current management would react to the situation, sensing the desperation of the Suns, the Clippers would probably decline this trade unless they could sweeten the pot drastically.
Having the leverage in this situation, the Clippers can take control of the outcome of the trade. Whether it becomes seriously outrageous or heist, the Suns will have to mull things over before pulling the trigger on this one.
A future first rounder instead of a second rounder would immediately get some attention, but would a point guard like Milos Teodosic be worth losing a first round pick.
The severity of the situation in the desert gets bigger by the day, Suns GM Ryan McDonough knows it, and the whole league apparently does too.
If they cannot make the necessary moves before the season starts, dangling some of their young pieces in trade talks might get them a more established court general in the process.
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