The uncomfortable truth: Chris Paul may be over as a serviceable guard who can provide positive value on the court for a contender.
After he was traded to the Phoenix Suns, Paul helped turn the organization into one of the best teams in the league. But he is averaging a career-low 13.9 points per game and he has struggled to stay healthy enough to remain on the floor for prolonged periods.
As such, according to league insider Marc Stein, the “word is” that this has caused the Suns to “start assessing” what their future looks like once he is no longer their point guard.
With that in mind, here are seven of the potential trade targets that Phoenix may pursue at the deadline as they consider long-term replacements for CP3.
7
Trae Young
Let’s be honest with ourselves: Trae Young probably isn’t going to be traded, at least not anytime soon.
We recently detailed how the Hawks have given increased power to 27-year-old Nick Ressler, whose father owns the franchise. Nick is reportedly close with Young, and the guard may actually feel more empowered than ever.
But at the same time, both the Suns and the Hawks did not meet expectations last season. cted to be this late in the season. If the Hawks decided to shake it up, the Suns could potentially build a mildly enticing package around former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton.
6
Kyle Lowry
If the Suns are imagining a future beyond Chris Paul, who is 37 years old, I’m not entirely sure what trading for Kyle Lowry would accomplish.
The veteran guard turns 37 years old next month, and the Heat were reportedly not looking to trade the six-time All-Star at the deadline anyway.
That being said, if the Suns really wanted to pursue a floor general with an impressive resume, there are few in the NBA who could bring the leadership and experience that Lowry would provide.
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5
Mike Conley
Minnesota’s Mike Conley will turn 36 years old before next season begins, so like Lowry, he wouldn’t exactly bring any of the coveted youth that Phoenix may want in a long-term replacement for Chris Paul.
Conley, however, is one of the most well-respected teammates in the NBA and could potentially bring stability into a locker room that struggled to find consistency last season.
4
D'Angelo Russell
The former No. 2 overall pick and 2019 NBA All-Star guard just finished the final year of an expiring contract.
If the Lakers have no plans to keep him beyond this season, the Suns could potentially sign him for fair value considering the market is considered “not particularly hot” for Russell at the moment.
Phoenix star Devin Booker has called Russell his “favorite player” and he was reportedly unhappy the organization did not try to sign the former Ohio State standout in 2020. But according to Duane Rankin, the front office had concerns about how Russell would influence Booker off the court.
3
Terry Rozier
The Suns reportedly pursued Rozier in 2019 and he nearly signed there before the Celtics arrange a sign-and-trade with the Hornets. At the deadline, NBA insider Marc Stein mentioned Rozier is once again a potential target for the Suns.
The Hornets were widely expected to listen to suitors for Rozier, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, and will be especially interested if they draft Scoot Henderson.
Rozier quietly averaged a career-high 21.1 points per game while also recording a personal-best 5.1 assists per game.
However, this has also been his least efficient campaign since joining the Hornets. His shot chart indicates that he has been either average or below average relative to his position from virtually every zone of the floor.
Rozier is still owed $24.9 million average annual value over each of the next three seasons, so he would eat into Phoenix’s expenditures fairly quickly.
2
Immanuel Quickley
According to Marc Stein, Quickley was a potential trade target for Phoenix at the deadline.
Quickley earned serious attention for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year. His plus-minus was near the best among all bench players and the Knicks outscore opponents by an additional 8.6 points per 100 possessions when he is on the floor relative to when is not, which is one of the best marks in all of the NBA.
While the Knicks were “willingly calling” about Quickley earlier this season, they were reportedly becoming “increasingly reluctant” to move him. Per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Phoenix would have to beat offers from the Bucks, Mavericks, Wizards, and others.
1
Fred VanVleet
Perhaps the best overall fit for the Suns is Toronto’s Fred VanVleet, an NBA champion who got his first All-Star nod last season. He is one of the rumored targets for the Suns, per Stein.
According to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, VanVleet believes he is worth more than what the Raptors are prepared to give him when he becomes a free agent this offseason. Despite reports of a $114-million contract, VanVleet said that he was never given a formal extension offer by the franchise.
The Suns and Magic were recently mentioned as potential suitors in free agency for VanVleet, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
