According to a report from Sam Amico of AmicoHoops.net, the Phoenix Suns may have interest in obtaining the Cleveland Cavaliers’ recently-acquired first round pick as they search for ways to trade guard Eric Bledsoe, who publicly expressed his displeasure in a tweet on Sunday, simply saying: “I don’t want to be here.”
Cleveland’s pick, which was secured in an offseason deal with the Boston Celtics, originally belonged to the Brooklyn Nets. Since then, several teams around the NBA have called the Cavs’ front office with inquiries about its availability. In his recent article, Amico writes that Cavs general manager Koby Altman could be open to moving the pick, but that seems unlikely at this point.
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With regards to their roster, it sounds like the Suns, who fired coach Earl Watson on Sunday after hours of meetings, would like to stay young. Assistant coach Jay Triano, a former head coach of the Toronto Raptors, was named interim coach. The Niagara Falls, Ontario, native served as an assistant with the Portland Trail Blazers before his arrival in Phoenix last year.
“The Suns want to keep their youth movement going and add to the likes of guard Devin Booker, rookie forward Josh Jackson, fourth-year man T.J. Warren and others. Another draft pick, particularly a supposed lottery pick such as the one from the Cavs (via the Nets), is on their radar, sources told Amico Hoops.”
“Opposing GMs who have spoken with the Cavs say the price for the Nets pick is extremely high,” Amico continues. “One said the idea of the Suns being able to acquire the pick in a deal for just Bledsoe and another older player ‘doesn’t seem likely to me.'”
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For now, it is unclear whether or not Altman and the Cavs will actually pull the trigger on a deal including their coveted first round pick. However, it certainly sounds like they are listening to offers.