The Phoenix Suns need a starting point guard. Apparently, they are targeting Cory Joseph of the Indiana Pacers in a trade to fill that role.
The Indiana Pacers, and more specifically Cory Joseph, are at the center of some NBA trade rumors.
The Phoenix Suns recently traded Brandon Knight to the Houston Rockets in a trade involving three more players. They acquired De’Anthony Melton, who they think could be their point guard of the future.
But not the present.
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The Suns’ current point guard rotation consists of Shaquille Harrison, Ellie Okobo, and Melton. That is a total of 384 NBA minutes amongst three guys. The Suns are ready to take the next steps into competing in the NBA. That rotation won’t get it done, and they are interested in trading for someone who can start for them this coming season.
Insert the Indiana Pacers.
According to a report from John Gambadoro over at ArizonaSports.com, the Suns have discussed three players to target: Patrick Beverly, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Indiana’s own Cory Joseph.
The Suns likely have interest in Joseph for two reasons. One is that he is a defensive minded point guard and can take defensive pressure off of the Suns’ star young guard, Devin Booker. Having someone who fits well next to your star has to be intriguing.
Additionally, like all the players on that list, Joesph’s contract is expiring. That helps Phoenix maintain future flexibility while grabbing a starting point guard.
There are some problems with a Joseph to Phoenix trade, however. One is that aforementioned flexibility. The Indiana Pacers have been working hard to maintain their own flexibility over the last few seasons. Trading away CoJo would hurt that flexibility they have done so much to keep.
Another challenge is finding a realistic return. TJ Warren seems like the best candidate to be sent back to Indiana, but the Pacers already have someone who can play the small forward position off the bench long-term in Doug McDermott. Plus, acquiring Warren would hurt the future cap sheet for Indiana.
All the rest of the players on Phoenix’s roster are either young assets that they want to keep or older veterans who don’t make much sense on Indiana. I’m not sure the Suns’ want to trade a pick for Cory Joseph. Finding the right package is hard.
Additionally, this report simply states that the Suns’ are “targeting” Cory Joseph. That doesn’t mean that there have been any actual trade discussions, nor does it mean anything will happen. It seems more likely that this rumor stays just a rumor.
Who knows if anything will happen, but the fact that the Suns are interested in Joseph is worth monitoring. Who knows, maybe the Pacers will shake things up before the season starts.