Report: Suns prioritizing Patrick Beverley in trade talks, Clippers balking at price being offered

Right now, the Suns’ depth at point guard is filled with lack of experience. Outside of second-year pro Shaquille Harrison, who’s only played in 23 career games, rookies Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton are the only other options available to them at the moment. That urgency raised even higher once Phoenix shipped out Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss to Houston, bringing in Melton and Ryan Anderson in the process.

Over two weeks since it was originally reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi that the Suns were pursuing starting-caliber point guards before the regular season began, we finally have an update from The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Charania says the Suns have Beverley as their top target to fill their hole at point guard and believe he would be a culture-setter in their young locker room while producing alongside Devin Booker in the backcourt. Phoenix has already brought in two former starters on the 2016-17 Rockets, Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson, who hope to help Booker in his push towards taking an even bigger leap.

What’s holding up a possible deal between the Clippers and Suns is asking price from both sides. Phoenix has only included future second-round picks in discussions for veteran options on the trade market, but Los Angeles has refused unless that offer is bumped up to a future first-round selection.

After using both the Miami selections (No. 16, rights to Zhaire Smith and 2021 Miami 1st) to move up for Mikal Bridges on draft night, Phoenix is down to only one outside asset remaining. All that remains is the Bucks pick via the Eric Bledsoe trade last October, which is heavily protected again this year before it lightens up in 2020 before ultimately being unprotected in 2021 (1-3 and 17-30 protected = 2019, 1-7 protected = 2020).

It’s completely understandable why the Suns are cautious of sending out that pick in any deal for a stopgap option. If General Manager Ryan McDonough were to bend to Los Angeles’ demands, which could happen later this week if there’s no traction still, all that would remain in their cupboard is picks of their own. Wiped out would be the assets gained in two valuable trades in one offseason, resulting in only Bridges and Beverley. That’s not a bad haul, but it’s not moving the proverbial needle immediately either.

The Clippers have plenty of guards already on their roster — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jerome Robinson, Avery Bradley, Milos Tedosoic, Juwan Evans and Tyrone Wallace — so gaining a pick for someone on a non-guranteed deal would be a coup for them.

From the Suns’ point of view, bringing in someone of Beverley’s caliber would immediately create an atmosphere where a playoff push is in the air. During his career in Houston, lost most of last season in LA following microfracture surgery on his knee, Beverley averaged 9.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 37.5% on 3s (4.4 3PA) in 28.5 minutes per game. On top of that, Beverley made All-NBA Defensive team twice (1st Team = 2017, 2nd Team = 2014), profiling as one of the better available fits next to Booker on paper.

A starting lineup featuring Beverley, Booker, Ariza, Anderson and Deandre Ayton would be Rockets 2.0, but this time with a big man who has 20 and 10 potential straight away.