As the NBA trade deadline nears, the Phoenix Suns have made it clear that they're going to be an active player in the rumor market, as the latest rumors reports that the Suns are looking to the Utah Jazz to make a possible deal.
It appears that the Suns have the eyes on big man Al Jefferson and swingman Gordon Hayward of the Jazz in a deal for one or both Jared Dudley and Marcin Gortat to make a deal work.
For Phoenix, Dudley has appeared in rumors as a trade piece everywhere from the early Rudy Gay trade chatter to a more recent deal where the Suns would acquire Iman Shumpert from the New York Knicks. The 27-year-old is averaging 11.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game this season.
Here's how Paul Coro at the Arizona Republic is reporting it:
The Suns also have shown interest in a bigger splash for Utah's Al Jefferson or Gordon Hayward. Dudley could be a part of either of those deals with center Marcin Gortat likely needed to make one work for Jefferson, a 28-year-old power forward who makes $14 million and is averaging 17.4 points and 9.5 rebounds. Hayward, a 22-year-old swingman, is averaging 13.5 points in a reserve role.
However, ESPN's Ric Bucher reports that the Jazz are leaning toward keeping Jefferson and would rather shop power forward Paul Millsap:
Latest word on Utah Jazz and who they'll keep vs. deal between Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap: Jefferson is the like -liest to stay right now, according to several opposing team executives. Consensus is the Jazz can't afford to keep both with Gordon Hayward soon to be eligible for an extension and the belief that Hayward is in the team's long-term plans.
