The Suns‘ pursuit of a point guard on the trade market could result in them getting involved in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes as a facilitator, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter). Keith Smith of RealGM.com first reported (via Twitter) that the Suns, like the Kings, were open to the idea of helping facilitate a three-team Butler trade.
As Wojnarowski details, if the Timberwolves and Heat were to make a trade involving Butler and Goran Dragic, it could open the door for Minnesota to send Jeff Teague to Phoenix as part of the deal. The Suns are also known to have inquired on backup Wolves point guard Tyus Jones. It’s not clear how interested the Suns would be in landing Dragic – who has already had two stints in Phoenix – as part of a three-team trade with Minnesota and Miami, but that could also be an avenue the team explores.
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The Kings may make a bit more sense than Phoenix as a third team in a potential Butler trade, since they have $11MM in cap room to work with, putting them in a better position to accommodate an unwanted contract. However, Sacramento would likely be after a first-round pick. The Suns are over the cap and would need to match salaries in any deal, perhaps using expiring contracts like Tyson Chandler‘s ($13.59MM) or Darrell Arthur‘s ($7.46MM).
The Suns have been on the lookout for a point guard since moving Brandon Knight to Houston in a trade last month. Besides Teague and Jones, some of the point guards cited as potential trade targets for Phoenix include Patrick Beverley, Cory Joseph, and Spencer Dinwiddie.
Wolves: Adebayo, Dragic, Chandler
Suns: Teague, Johnson, 1st
Heat: Butler, Dieng
Which Johnson?
Either one tbh. If Phoenix wants a guy who can play the 3-4 take James, if they want an overpaid PG/SG/SF then take Tyler.
Suns get Teague, Johnson and a 1st for Tyson? Lol to that
I’m sure the Suns would like a trade like this . The Wolves get old real fast with Dragic and Chandler ??
Wolves get a cheaper PG in Dragic who is an upgrade over Teague, a young big who can play alongside KAT, and an expiring vet big in Chandler
Failed on ESPN trade machine. If Miami was dealing Dragic straight up for Butler, that would work. The Phoenix compensating Minnesota for Teague, $19mm, would be difficult. For Minnesota to trade Dieng, Butler, and Teague would be giving up $54mm. That’s unheard of.
What about the inclusion of Darrell Arthur?
ESPN trade machine says problem is Minnesota can’t go into the luxury tax with a trade.
Wolves: Winslow, Adebayo, Dragic, Chandler, Bender
Suns: Johnson, Teague, 1st
Heat: Butler, Dieng, Gibson
Failed on trade machine. Butler to Miami, Dragic to Minnesota, Teague and Okogie to Phoenix, and Warren to Minnesota works. You could throw in a 1st round pick somewhere.
I tried Dragic to Minnesota, Butler to Miami, Teague to Phoenix, with Bender and Warren to Minnesota. Trade machine said Minnesota would be over luxury tax, and would need to cut $6.5mm from deal. Chandler’s $13.5mm wouldn’t work either. I don’t see how you could work a deal with Phoenix and Minnesota.
Here’s the trades that SB Nation did on the ESPN trade machine that were successful: 1) Tyler Johnson, Kelly Olynyk, Josh Richardson to Miami
Jimmy Butler, Gorgui Dieng to Minnesota – I don’t see Miami paying Whiteside and Dieng $41mm or Minnesota paying Johnson and Teague $38mm
2)Johnson, Olynyk, and Richardson to Minnesota
Butler and Iman Shumpert to Miami, and Dieng and Miami 1st to Sacramento
3) Johnson, Olynyk, and Tyson Chandler to Minnesota: Jimmy Butler and Iman Shumpert to Miami: Dieng and Miami 1st to Sacramento: Kousta Koufos and Tyus Jones to Phoenix.
Reverse the teams on trade 1 obviously. My bad!
It’s complicated stuff!
I really like Dragic as a player. Can shoot, nice point guard, really good player.
Does Miami really want to give him up to get better with Butler? Be nice to keep them both, but I guess that doesn’t work in acquiring Talent like Butler.
Hoops Hype says Suns are interested in Goran Dragic (Darren Wolfsen). Also says Heat interested in trading Dion Waiters (although he won’t be ready for the start of the season).