The Suns have made guards Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe, along with veteran center Tyson Chandler, available in trade discussions in the days leading up to the 2017 NBA Draft, a source informed Def Pen Hoops.
Phoenix has been aggressive in testing the value of its No. 4 pick, which they plan to use on either Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum in Thursday’s draft if they keep the pick, in recent days, the source said.
They held brief discussions with the Knicks and Clippers, engaging in talks to potentially acquire a frontcourt star to place alongside Devin Booker, but discussions never entered an advanced stage.
Still, the franchise has taken a keen liking in New York Knicks superstar Kristaps Porzingis, who is being labeled as a primary trade target. New York, the source said, possesses significant interest in obtaining Devin Booker, but it would take a massive amount of value from the Knicks to ultimately persuade Robert Sarver and Ryan McDonough to let Booker go.
The Vertical reported Wednesday night Phoenix intends to continue exploring the trade value of its No. 4 pick entering the Draft, expressing a desire to bring in an established veteran player to the franchise.
Phoenix aggressively shopped Knight, Bledsoe, Chandler and forward P.J. Tucker — who was traded to Toronto — on deadline day, two separate sources said in February.
ESPN reports Phoenix has also included Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender in various trade iterations, but the source indicates the team hasn’t been shopping the two players. Still, the possibility or Bender or Chriss being traded does exist, as Devin Booker is considered to be the only untouchable piece on the Suns’ roster.
Suns management decided to shut down both Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler weeks before this past season concluded.
