Phoenix Suns Trade Rumors: Goran Dragic Traded To Sign Eric Bledsoe, Isaiah Thomas or Pau Gasol In Free Agency?

Jul 10, 2014 03:47 PM EDT
Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic
Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (1) is guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George and Center roy Hibbert lurking in the background at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Phoenix defeats Indiana 102-94. "

The Phoenix Suns are looking to improve this offseason after a surprising season and they are close to a sign and trade with Isaiah Thomas and the Kings and it's possible that a Goran Dragic trade could come afterwards, as the he was one of the most improved players in the NBA and the team is targeting Eric Bledsoe, Thomas, Greg Monroe and Pau Gasol in free agency, while the Indiana Pacers have been hoping to swing a trade for Dragic in the hopes of upgrading at point guard or swinging him to trade for Rajon Rondo.

The Suns played some very good basketball last season despite everyone thinking they would be terrible and they may have been the most surprising team in the league. According to ESPN.com, the team is looking to retain Eric Bledsoe as a restricted free agent and while they are prepared to match any offer he gets, GM Ryan McDonagh said that he hopes the team can work out a long term deal without doing that. Marc Stein reports that the Pacers would love to pull off a deal for Dragic, but right now the Suns are not biting.

Eric Bledsoe is a top target for the team this offseason and the Suns want to make sure they keep his services, especially if they need to offload Dragic at some point in the future. The Pacers had hoped that the Suns would look at trading Dragic to ensure they keep Bledsoe if his restricted deal gets too high, but according to Pro Basketball Talk, the Suns are not entertaining offers for Dragic at this time. But that doesn't mean Dragic won't be traded down the line. Stein also writes that with Dragic set for free agency following this season, he could be a prime candidate for a trade at the deadline if the two sides can't work out an extension or long term deal.

Bledsoe and Dragic are coming off of very solid seasons for the Suns, with Bledsoe averaging 17 points per game and five assists, while Dragic won most improved player in the league and averaged over 20 points and hair under six assists per game. According to the Sporting News, the Pacers are "quietly shopping" Roy Hibbert and that could be an option for the Suns if they decide to trade Dragic. The team has Alex Len and Mason Plumlee, but they also could use an upgrade alongside Alex Len and if Greg Monroe stays with the Pistons, a trade with Dragic and Hibbert could be an option.

The Suns have also checked in on free agent Pau Gasol, as the team nearly went all-in on last season and traded for him from the Lakers. During the season, ESPN.com reported that a deal was very close to getting done between the Suns and the Lakers, but ultimately the Suns did not want to give up any draft picks. The team just missed the playoffs, but they ended up with Tyler Ennis in the draft and that is another reason why Dragic could go later in the season. The team lost Channing Frye to the Magic in free agency and while they offered LeBron James a chance to sign there, he is opting to choose between the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers and it is taking a bit longer than everyone expected. 

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