Suns trade rumors: What it would take to get Spencer Dinwiddie from the Nets

While Phoenix Suns’ fans fret over Devin Booker’s hand, the General Manager has to shore up the point guard spot regardless of who is playing shooting guard.

Right now, the Suns only have two G-Leaguers from last year — Isaiah Canaan and Shaquille Harrison — and a pair of rookies in Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton.

That’s not going to get anything done.

First, the Suns thought BIG.

If the Suns were going to actually GET one of those point guards, you’d think it would have happened by now. As we approach September, there’s no chance for teams to reboot and reset rosters — as Charlotte and Portland would have to do, if not Boston.

So the Suns need to look at the smaller picture — just for a stopgap for this season before 2019 Free Agency hits and a half dozen really good point guards come on the market.

A few days later, Gambo updated that speculation to dial it back down to a lower tier of point guard that might be more accessible this month:

Per Gambo: Patrick Beverly of the Los Angeles Clippers, Spencer Dinwiddie of the Brooklyn Nets and Corey Joseph of the Indiana Pacers.

All three players are on expiring contracts of varying size. Joseph ($7.9 million) and Beverly ($5 million) will be unrestricted free agents next summer, while Dinwiddie ($1.6 million) will be restricted.

That puts the Suns right back into the point guard market next summer when a veritable plethora of starting caliber playmakers hit the market, including Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, D’Angelo Russell (restricted) and Ricky Rubio, among a dozen or more that are better than anything the Suns have right now or DID have (i.e. Brandon Knight).

But back to 2018 and this latest rumor.

Dinwiddie is the youngest (24 years old), while Joseph is 26 and Pat Bev is 30.

CoJo and Bev are considered good defenders but poor/limited playmakers, while Dinwiddie provides the most upside offensively but is not as known for his defense.

Can the Suns acquire any of these guys?

Over the next three days, we will unveil exclusive scouting reports and negotiations with the GMs of the Nets, Pacers and Clippers blogs.

It’s always great to hear THEIR side of the story rather than just focus myopically on our own opinions.

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Today is Spencer Dinwiddie day

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We start the tour with a Q and A with Anthony Puccio of NetsDaily.com, our SB Nation brother blog way back east.

Hope you enjoy it!

• Taking D’Angelo Russell out of the picture for a moment, could the 6’6” Spencer Dinwiddie with 5.7 Win Shares for a 28-win team be a long term starting option at point guard for a playoff caliber team?

Anthony Puccio, NetsDaily: It’s hard to give a fair answer because last year was really his first opportunity to prove himself, which he did, but starting point guard on a playoff team might be a little premature. I’d have to say he’s a very good backup PG on a playoff team, starter on a rebuilding team like the Nets.

• Now bringing Russell back into it, should Dinwiddie start the season at PG for the Nets with Russell at shooting guard? Or is Dinwiddie clearly the backup to Russell?

Anthony Puccio, NetsDaily: I think Dinwiddie is the backup behind Russell. The two didn’t play all too great together last season especially since they’re both ball-dominant guards. Allen Crabbe seems to be more of a guarantee to get that starting role at the two with DLo manning the point.

• What would the Suns love about Dinwiddie next to Devin Booker?

Anthony Puccio, NetsDaily: His basketball IQ. He doesn’t turn the ball over and he’s good at settling the offense in. He’ll know where the ball should be most of the time.

—Dinwiddie had a 4:1 assist to turnover ratio last year.

• What would the Suns hate about it? Or, how would the Suns struggle?

Anthony Puccio, NetsDaily: There are concerns, as I alluded to before. Dinwiddie likes having the ball in his hands and isolation was a big part of his game. Can he be as effective when the ball isn’t in his hands? I’ve yet to see it (i.e. Dinwiddie/Russell). But again, he’s a very smart basketball player who’s very team-oriented. I’m sure he would adjust fine if he’s playing with somebody like DBook.

• From the Nets point of view, why would they even consider trading Dinwiddie this month?

Anthony Puccio, NetsDaily: Dinwiddie is going to command a decent amount, perhaps more than the Nets will want to spend after this season. They want to have as much cap space as possible for free agents, not to mention they’ll have to pay D’Angelo Russell a decent chunk after this season as well.

As well, pundits are speculating his value to be very high. If the Nets can get a pick and potential young asset for him, it’ll be a no-brainer. Cleveland offered their first rounder for him last season. I’d imagine something similar – if not more.

• Would they be more interested in February?

Anthony Puccio, NetsDaily: Depends how desperate the Suns or other teams are. Then again, the Nets might be desperate to get value back for him as well. Tough call, but if you’re Sean Marks and the Nets, you’re seeing just how desperate Phoenix currently is. They already have Shabazz Napier and Caris LeVert to back up Russell.

• What should the Nets demand in return for Dinwiddie, to convince them to trade him to the Suns? Would it take more than a future second round pick, or a swap of one of the Suns’ young point guards (Elie Okobo or De’Anthony Melton)?

Anthony Puccio, NetsDaily: He’s going to command more than a second round pick. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic expects a “robust” trade market for him, which likely means a young asset and/or first round pick. The Nets like Dinwiddie a lot and don’t plan on handing him away for little return.

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Hmm, so maybe De’Anthony Melton and the Bucks pick (heavily protected in 2019, lightly protected in 2020) gets us Spencer Dinwiddie?

He’s a very good young player, but he had the worst Defensive Box Plus/Minus at -1.8 on the Nets among those who played more than 500 minutes last year. Still, his 4:1 assist to turnover ratio, 5.7 Win Shares, and overall efficient offense could offset poor defense and ball-dominant mindset.

Not sure how that meshes with Igor Kokoskov’s coaching style, but it would be interesting to find out.