The Indiana Pacers are looking for an upgrade over George Hill at point guard and Marc Stein from ESPN writes that a Goran Dragic trade from the Phoenix Suns is a dream option and this comes as Indy is quietly shopping Roy Hibbert in trades and teams like the Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers could be interested in making a deal if those other options fall through.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Pacers have been shopping Hibbert this summer after the way he performed in the playoffs and at the same time they are looking at potential point guard deals and have zeroed in on Dragic. Marc Stein writes that the team could look at a deal for Dragic if the Suns continue to have issues with Eric Bledsoe, as they could trade Dragic as a way to bring him back in and clear space in the backcourt. The team has a surplus of guards right now and that is why Indy is looking at the Suns as a potential partner in a deal.
The Suns signed Isaiah Thomas in a sign and trade deal this offseason and that gives the team another backcourt mate for Dragic for the time being. Ideally, the Suns want to sign Bledsoe back to pair with Dragic and Thomas, but right now the two sides are apart in deals. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Bledsoe is asking for a five year deal and the Suns are offering four years with about half the money Bledsoe is asking for. PBT also reports that the team doesn't want to deal Dragic, but they may not have a choice if it comes down to losing Bledsoe, as they see him as a franchise building block.
Dragic has also shown that he is worth investing in, as he is coming off of winning most improved player of the year and he also is making just over $7 million for the season. The Suns are in an interesting position, as they have a young roster and are coming off of a surprising year that saw them win 48 games and just miss the playoffs. The team added Tyler Ennis in the draft and that is yet another reason why some think they could live with trading Dragic. The team is high on Ennis and he comes in as an option to be a prime player off the bench this year after playing and impressing at Syracuse.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Pacers, Suns, Pistons and Trail Blazers all have some similar targets and things wrapped up in each other, as Greg Monroe was a target fit Portland and now he is a potential target for the Suns. According to Stein, the Blazers considered going for Monroe with an offer sheet, but instead they signed Chris Kaman and now the Suns could jump in and this comes as the Pacers are interested in making a move as well. Last season the Suns were heavy into Pau Gasol and those trade talks even though they never went through and this would be a way of getting a veteran big man that is productive and someone who could be a leader on the young roster.
