Ranking Suns' Top Trade Targets After 2024 NBA Playoff Loss

Yikes.

The Phoenix Suns' all-in investment on this roster just proved to be—for now, at least—an absolute bust. Their choice to empty their asset collection, deplete their depth and bog down their financial books was supposed to lead to championship contention. Instead, this extremely top-heavy team managed only a middling regular-season record and a first-round exit from the 2024 NBA playoffs.

This is, to put it bluntly, a failure of massive proportions, and unfortunately for the franchise, there's no easy way to wiggle out of this. While it's simple to say this roster needs to change, it's a lot harder to figure out how to change it. Phoenix has next to nothing to offer in a trade, unless it plans on blowing up this core and starting over.

Since the whole intention of this team is winning right now, that probably isn't happening. So, let's go bargain shopping in search of some potential trade targets for the Suns.

3. Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers

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BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 3: Isaiah Jackson #22 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 3, 2024 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Phoenix's interior rotation could badly use some freshening up, but that's tricky to do on a limited budget. If the Suns can afford a center, it would have to be someone like Isaiah Jackson, who might have more to offer than he's been able to show while being blocked behind some quality bigs in the Circle City.

He is three years into his career and has yet to lock down a regular rotation role, so maybe that's a warning sign. Then again, he's been helpful enough when he finds his way to the hardwood to wonder if he'd flourish with consistent playing time.

He doesn't have much size (6'10", 206 lbs), but his length and athleticism allow him to play bigger than he is. He's reliable around the rim on offense and disruptive around it on defense. In statistical terms, he's a career 59.4 percent shooter whose per-36-minutes averages include 10.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks, per Basketball-Reference.

The Suns could use more an above-the-rim paint presence at both ends, and Jackson is one of the few potentially bargain-priced players capable of providing it.

2. Jevon Carter, Chicago Bulls

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 17: Jevon Carter #5 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 17, 2024 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

If you tracked any of Jevon Carter's season in Chicago, you might be wondering how he landed on this list. He never secured the role or had the impact many expected when he signed there last summer, ultimately wrapping his campaign with his worst player efficiency rating since his rookie year (8.5).

Well, the Suns might still be interested any way, for a couple of reasons.

For one, this is a reflection of Phoenix's trade budget. Secondly, Carter could conceivably fit in it. If the Bulls don't see his role expanded going forward, they may not love the idea of paying him $13.3 million for the next two seasons, per Spotrac.

Finally—and most importantly—Carter is a better player than he appeared for the Bulls. Chicago's backcourt depth minimized his role, and he never found a rhythm with his shot (32.9 percent). If a relocation got that back on track, he could give Phoenix ferocious defense, at least serviceable spacing (40.5 percent on low volume over the previous four seasons) and some secondary playmaking.

1. T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers

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MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 23: T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks during Round One Game Two of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2024 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).

The whole of the Suns' offense never added up to the sum of its parts—10th in efficiency, per NBA.com—and the lack of a primary playmaker seemingly contributed to that. They had talent, but it wasn't always organized or the most fluid.

Maybe that's why T.J. McConnell has been on their radar forever.

The ferocious floor general could step into the dessert and immediately become its best decision-maker. He has come impressively close to being a mistake-free passer, having just averaged 5.5 assists against only 1.5 turnovers. He is a two-way playmaker who always finds ways to energize the game.

He offers very little as a scorer (career 7.5 points per game) and seldom even looks at jumpers, but if any offense can work around that, it's probably one featuring a three-headed monster like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. If McConnell got them in the right places and routinely found them with on-time and on-target deliveries, the Suns could likely live with his limitations.