NBA Rumors: Fred VanVleet, Terry Rozier on Phoenix Suns’ offseason wishlist

NBA Rumors: Two big-name point guards appear at the top of the Phoenix Suns’ offseason wishlist. 

If there’s one thing that we have learned since the Phoenix Suns have been eliminated from the NBA Playoffs, it’s that they’re going to be extremely aggressive in retooling their supporting cast this offseason. And the early indications are that the team isn’t above trading some of the bigger names on their roster, including Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.

But that could be easier said than done. If the Suns are going to retool their roster this offseason, they’re going to have to get creative. But it’s also something that has to happen after the disappointment that the team went through in the second round of the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets.

The big question is, who could the Suns target as pieces that would fit next to Kevin Durant and Devin Booker? At least according to a recent report, there are two big-name point guards that sit atop the team’s wishlist heading into the offseason – Fred VanVleet and Terry Rozier.

What the Phoenix Suns would need to do to add a difference-maker

VanVleet is expected to test free agency this offseason and could be signed and traded to the Suns if both sides wanted to make that happen. However, I’m not sure the Raptors would any much, if any, interest in Paul or Ayton. You could make the argument that they would be interested in Ayton, but then the team acquired Jakob Poeltl at the NBA Trade Deadline.

I’m not sure how he complicates a potential pursuit of Ayton.

Rozier is still under contract with the Hornets but could work if Charlotte is willing to take on Paul’s contract for a future asset, or even for Ayton. Both VanVleet and Rozier are proven difference-makers and would make interesting additions for the Suns next to KD and Booker heading into next season.

You’d have to assume that if the Suns are able to land a difference-maker this offseason, that likely means that Paul and Ayton almost have to both be moved. At the very least, Paul would have to no longer be in the picture.

It’ll be interesting to see what exactly the Suns end up doing this offseason and what flexibility they end up having. Even if they do nothing, Phoenix will be a contender in the West. If they can make a few changes here and there, they cold end up being an overwhelming favorite heading into the season.