Report: Suns may need to unload Thomas to keep Dragic; Green on block, too
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Goran Dragic may not be going anywhere ahead of Thursday's trade deadline. If the Phoenix Suns want to keep him past the end of this season, they may need to jettison Isaiah Thomas, instead.
That's the latest out of Phoenix, where Dragic's ability to become an unrestricted free agent this summer is clouding the team's deadline plans. The Suns have always expressed a strong interest in re-signing Dragic, who has publicly stated a willingness to stay but a desire to explore the market.
UPDATE: Dragic has reportedly told the Suns he will not re-sign, and the Suns will look to move him.
Dragic's refusal to make a long-term commitment is such that as recently as Monday, the Suns were ready to deal him rather than risk losing him for nothing. Dragic's agent was set to meet with the Suns on Tuesday and, according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Phoenix is determined and hopeful of re-signing him. Were a team to inquire, the asking price in a trade is said to be a young player with All-Star potential and draft considerations.
"They don't sound like a team that wants to trade him," an executive told Wojnarowski. "Or even really consider it. They still believe they'll re-sign him in the summer."
The sticking point to re-signing Dragic may have the Suns looking to deal another guard in Thomas, who they signed this summer to a team-friendly deal. Wojnarowski reports that Dragic has grown increasingly unhappy with the Suns' three-point guard style of play. With Eric Bledsoe locked up to a long-term deal, Thomas makes the most sense to go in a roster-balancing trade.
Phoenix could return to a Thomas deal in the summer ahead of free agency but they're currently talking to teams about Thomas, as well as swingman Gerald Green.
Dragic's frustration is understandable at the individual level, as his market has potentially been hurt some by the new system, with his numbers declining as a result.
At the team level, the Suns are four games off their pace from last season at 29-25 but still have a narrow, half-game hold on the final Western Conference playoff spot. The guard-heavy system has been great for Phoenix's offense, which ranks seventh, but their defense is just 17th and the three-point guard lineup has played only 187 minutes together, albeit productive ones.
Thomas stands as one of the league's most dangerous bench scorers, averaging 15.2 points in 25.7 minutes. The three years left on his deal may cause some teams pause, but they're affordable and his $7.2-million salary for this season declines each year. The Boston Celtics are one team said to be intrigued at the possibility of landing Thomas, should Phoenix put him on the block in earnest.
Green, meanwhile, is on the market in a manner unrelated to the point guards. With a $3.5-million expiring contract, the 29-year-old could offer some athleticism and floor spacing. Though, his role in Jeff Hornacek's rotation has been in steady decline.