The Phoenix Suns entered the 2020-21 campaign with some renewed optimism following their impeccable 8-0 run inside the NBA bubble last season.
The acquisition of superstar point guard Chris Paul in the offseason proved to be the missing piece of the puzzle, as the Suns have raced to the second-best record in the Western Conference with a 26-12 slate as of writing.
One look at Phoenix’s roster shows they have a nice mix of young and veteran players who perfectly complement superstar Devin Booker’s game.
The team is already stacked in all fronts and they do not really need to roll the dice on the big-name players in the market and risk messing with the impeccable chemistry they already have.
However, adaptability is the name of the game right now. Phoenix cannot just rest on its laurels and must strive to keep getting better, or risk getting left behind by the other contenders in the West.
Luckily for the franchise, the Suns are one of the most enticing teams to play for this year and there are no shortage of players wishing to take their talents to The Valley. With that said, let’s look at the two most enticing options that Phoenix should trade for before the NBA Trade Deadline on March 25.
1. Aaron Gordon
The Suns already had Aaron Gordon on their sights as early as last season and actually made a play to acquire him in last year’s deadline. The 25-year-old high-flyer, after all, is already quite familiar with Arizona, having played for the Wildcats in his one-and-done collegiate career in the 2013-14 NCAA season.
While he doesn’t fill a major need for Phoenix at the moment, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t revisit this possible deal.
Gordon’s numbers have regressed for the third season in a row for the Orlando Magic, notching 13.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists, while shooting 42.5 percent from the floor and 36.5 from deep in the 20 games he played so far.
Still, the 6-foot-8 forward possesses all the talent in the world and likely just needs a change of scenery to reignite his once-promising career. Fans are quick to forget that AG was a borderline All-Star for the Magic a few seasons ago.
Gordon is owed over $18 million in the remaining two years of his contract. The Suns might have to part ways with fan-favorite Dario Saric, who is enjoying a career-best 38 percent shooting from downtown if they want to pull the trigger on AG.
A package for Saric, Jevon Carter, and a future second-round pick should be enough to entice the Magic to finally part ways with Gordon.
A possible Big 3 of Booker, Paul, and Gordon should make the Suns even more problematic for the rest of the league.
2. JJ Redick
In the event that the Suns do move Saric, they are going to need even more shooters to continue fueling that high-octane offense of theirs.
A veteran specialist like New Orleans Pelicans shooter JJ Redick is just the guy they need to gear up for a strong playoff run. While absorbing Redick’s $13 million deal is a steep price to pay for a 36-year-old player, his leadership and marksmanship would be perfect for head coach Monty Williams’ second-unit.
Plus, CP3 is already quite familiar with the Duke legend, having played with him with the Los Angeles Clippers. Paul knows exactly where and when to find JJ’s sweet spots on the floor.
The Suns might have to play around with a package involving Cam Johnson or Jalen Smith. NOLA is reportedly seeking a future draft pick in any package for Redick, so Phoenix will also probably have to cough up a second-rounder.
