The Phoenix Suns could be an active team at the trade deadline this year and Miles Plumlee could be a target to get moved, as ESPN is reporting that the Suns are shopping the young star and teams like the Bulls, Lakers and Knicks could be interested as they build around the young core of Isaiah Thomas, Eric Bledsoe, Gerald Green, PJ Tucker, Goran Dragic and Alex Len.
The Suns were one the most surprising teams in the league last season and missed the playoffs by one game and they are looking to make a run this year. According to ESPN.com, the team is shopping Plumlee heading into the trade deadline, with sources saying that the Suns want to help Plumlee find a situation where he can get more minutes. Plumlee's brother Mason has been thriving in Brooklyn, but Miles has been getting pushed down in the rotation and his minutes have decreased.
Plumlee is averaging less than 14 minutes per game this month and that is down from 24 minutes per game from November, according to ESPN.com stats. The Suns getting Wright pushes Plumlee down even more and the team has been trying to give more minutes to Alex Len, who was a top draft pick. The Suns would like to acquire at least a first round draft pick for Plumlee, who was selected by the Pacers at number 26 in the first round in 2012. Mason was selected in 2013 by the Nets at number 22 in the first round.
The Suns signed Thomas in the offseason and brought back Bledsoe and they may look at trading Dragic at the trading deadline. Dragic is heading towards free agency and he is going to be one of the most coveted players on the market. The Lakers, Knicks and Houston Rockets all reportedly will be interested in Dragic and the Suns are hoping to retain him.
Thomas could be a trade target as well, but since the team just signed him and they have been worried about Dragic, it's likely that he remains. Dragic is a prime target heading into free agency and it will be tough for the Suns to keep him if they get some good offers at the deadline.
The Suns also have Tyler Ennis at point guard and could also look at moving Gerald Green or PJ Tucker. The Washington Post put together a list of players that likely will be moved at the deadline and Green was one of them. The Suns were involved in the Austin Rivers to Clippers trade, as they were one of the three teams in that deal and received Reggie Bullock while giving up Shavlik Randolph. The Suns had already pulled off another deal involving Boston last week, acquiring Wright for a protected draft pick.
The Suns are 24-18 this season and third in the Pacific division and Phoenix has been one of the best offensive teams in the league this year with Dragic, Bledsoe and Thomas in the backcourt. The team has not been great on defense, ranking 28th in the league in points allowed per game, but they are averaging 107 points per game on offense to rank fourth in the league. Dragic is having another strong season and has been the most consistent offensive option for the Suns.
