If there is one area the Phoenix Suns would like to improve, it is surely the point guard position. Despite adding a solid backup in Monte Morris during the offseason, they still need more help at that spot.
Morris likely believes he can start, although competing for minutes with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal will be tough. At 29 years old and having bounced around the league, the Suns shouldn’t rely on him to solve all their problems. They also need to move on from starting center Jusuf Nurkic, a topic we have discussed before.
This is why a trade sending Jusuf Nurkic to the Los Angeles Lakers for point guard D’Angelo Russell is an option they should consider. Initially, this might sound crazy, and financially it’s not as simple as a one-for-one swap, but it’s worth considering. Financially, the Suns are in the second apron, so they can’t take back more money than they send out in any deal.
Fortunately, both Nurkic and Russell are making just over $18 million each next season, meaning to align the finances, the Suns would only need to waive a player like David Roddy. Not ideal, but a risk worth taking to acquire a starting-level point guard.
Despite his flaws, Russell is a capable starting point guard. It surprised many that he opted into the final year of his deal to return to Los Angeles this summer, but that may have been to facilitate a trade. Although his days with the Lakers seem numbered, he can still contribute to certain teams.
Russell has always been a starter, beginning 500 of his 571 regular season games. However, being a supercharged sixth man or a starter when Beal inevitably misses time due to injury would be a good fit for him. He is undoubtedly the best point guard the Suns could acquire right now, as evidenced by the addition of Morris.
Why would the Lakers consider this deal? They’d get a solid backup center for Anthony Davis and offload a player in Russell whom they are tired of. Although the Suns would be light at the center position, Mason Plumlee was a nice addition this summer.