Should the Suns explore trading point guard depth to upgrade roster?

Will the Suns trade Tyus Jones or Monte Morris before the deadline?

The trade deadline is fast approaching, offering teams a chance to improve both in the short and long term. The Phoenix Suns, under general manager James Jones, have already taken steps to bolster their immediate future by acquiring Nick Richards from the Charlotte Hornets. The move cost them Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, but it also brought back a second-round pick in this year’s draft from Denver. Hooray. Time to fire up Tankathon again!

While second-round picks don’t always generate much excitement, they hold undeniable value. Whether the Suns use this pick to uncover hidden talent, as they did with Oso Ighodaro last season, or leverage it as a trade chip to sweeten future deals, draft capital is a key asset in roster building.

Finding the next diamond in the rough might not happen every year, but having picks in hand ensures the Suns remain active players in shaping their future, whether it’s on draft day or in trade negotiations. Credit to the front office for recognizing the importance of flexibility while staying competitive now.

This brings me to another option Phoenix should consider.

Last season, it felt like the missing piece for the Suns was a playmaking point guard. And in some ways, that still rings true. While the concept of being “positionless” is trendy, the reality is that basketball teams still need defined roles to win. Archetypes like a true playmaker have been essential to the game’s success for over 75 years, and that hasn’t changed.

With this in mind, the Suns addressed the need for ball security and playmaking in the offseason by signing Tyus Jones and Monte Morris. But how has that worked out so far? Probably not as well as the organization hoped, given the team’s middling 20–20 record.

Of course, many factors contribute to a record like this, but one clear issue is the lack of effectiveness in lineups featuring Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Jones. Despite their individual talent, the chemistry and balance haven’t been quite right. It’s an area that deserves a closer look as the Suns evaluate their next steps.

When that trio shares the court, the results have been underwhelming for the Suns this season, and it’s not hard to see why. For starters, either Booker or Beal is forced to play out of position at small forward, which makes the Suns defensively undersized. Any team with even a hint of size at the point guard, shooting guard, or small forward spots creates an immediate mismatch. And the stats only reinforce this reality.

Through the Suns’ first 40 games, the trio of Booker, Beal, and Jones has posted a disappointing -71 plus-minus. Offensively, they show flashes of cohesion, shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc and averaging 2.35 points per minute when on the court together. Their assist-to-turnover ratio is a solid 2.0. However, the defensive side has been a glaring issue. The lineup has a defensive rating of 121.4 and a net rating of -12.3, highlighting the struggles to find balance with this combination.

This is likely one of the reasons why Coach Budenholzer adjusted his rotations, opting to have Bradley Beal come off the bench when Tyus Jones sits. So far, the strategy has shown promise, albeit against some of the weaker teams the Eastern Conference has to offer.

Okay. So the addition of a true point guard and starting him didn’t work out as planned. Noted. And kudos to Bud for making the move rather than running the same lineup out there night after night, attempting to appease egos rather than win games (cough, Vogel cough).

Let’s circle back to the Suns’ draft pick situation. I recognize that this article comes at a point in the season when the Phoenix Suns are — mostly — healthy, particularly at the guard position. One thing the team undeniably has is depth in the backcourt. And when it comes to assets that are desirable across the league, that’s certainly one of them.

Take the Atlanta Hawks, for example. Their point guard depth is practically nonexistent. Trae Young is shouldering the load as their primary playmaker, which is exactly what Atlanta wants—having Trae on the court as much as possible is their best bet. However, even with a star like him, you still need reliable depth behind him, and that’s something they’re clearly lacking.

And guess what? The Suns do have PG depth.

This past offseason, Phoenix signed Tyus Jones and Monte Morris to one-year veteran minimum deals. These “prove it” contracts gave both players a chance to showcase their skills on a team built for offensive productivity and frequent national TV appearances. However, it’s highly likely that neither will remain with the Suns once the season concludes.

So, why not try to get some value for them now?

If Jones and Morris bring overlapping skill sets, do the Suns really need both? And if it’s clear that neither can effectively share the court with Booker and Beal at the same time, it might be time to explore trade options. Why not call Atlanta and see if there’s interest in one of them? In return, Phoenix could secure some draft capital to bolster future flexibility.

Sure, the Suns might not have a lot of leverage in this situation, with half a season still to go for both players. But if Monte Morris isn’t getting consistent minutes and there’s an opportunity to send him — or even Tyus Jones — to Atlanta for a second-round pick, would you pull the trigger? And maybe you can even negotiate for two second-round picks.

It’s not just about adding draft assets to the roster; it’s about having that capital to help facilitate larger trades down the line, much like the Suns did when they acquired Nick Richards.

I’m not sure if it’s an option for Phoenix, but it’s certainly something worth exploring. With the trade deadline just a couple of weeks away, every possible scenario needs to be considered. Thanks for taking the time to explore this one with me.