Over the past year, the Phoenix Suns have taken a refreshingly creative approach to roster building-filling gaps not with splashy moves, but with smart, under-the-radar decisions. It’s not always been pretty, and certainly not conventional, but it’s working.
One of the best examples? Their trade for center Mark Williams.
Williams had long been seen as a high-upside big, but health concerns clouded his potential. Now, he’s not only staying on the floor-he’s logging back-to-backs without issue. That’s a win for a Suns team that needed size and rim protection without breaking the bank or sacrificing future flexibility.
Then there’s the point guard situation, which has been a revolving door since last season’s Tyus Jones experiment flamed out. Instead of chasing another big name, Phoenix has leaned into a trio of overlooked, but effective, guards: Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and Jamaree Bouyea. None of them are household names, but together they’ve given head coach Jordan Ott a rotation of gritty, capable ball-handlers who can step up when called upon.
But with the trade deadline looming, there’s a name floating around that could be worth a look: Lonzo Ball.
Now, to be clear-Ball isn’t currently playing at a higher level than any of the Suns’ three current guards. In fact, he’s still working his way back from a long injury layoff, and his $10 million salary isn’t exactly team-friendly for a player trying to re-establish himself. That’s likely why the Cleveland Cavaliers are looking to move him.
Still, there’s a case to be made.
For starters, Ball has shown in the past that he can be a legitimate two-way contributor. His last healthy stretch-35 games with the Chicago Bulls in 2021-22-saw him shoot a scorching 42.3% from deep, while also playing strong perimeter defense and acting as a secondary playmaker. If he can even approximate that form, there’s value to be had.
The Suns, meanwhile, are facing some uncertainty at point guard beyond this season. Gillespie has played well enough that other teams could come calling with offers this summer.
Bouyea is still on a two-way deal and hasn’t been converted to a standard contract. And while Goodwin has carved out a role, the Suns have already moved on from him once-so nothing’s guaranteed.
That’s where Ball becomes intriguing. He wouldn’t be expected to start or take on a heavy load. With Devin Booker and Jalen Green commanding the lion’s share of the backcourt minutes, Ball would be a depth piece-someone who could anchor bench units, provide steady playmaking, and knock down open shots when the stars draw attention.
Of course, fit matters. Ball’s style doesn’t necessarily scream “seamless pairing” with Booker and Green, especially if all three are on the floor at once.
But that’s not the vision here. Ott has shown a preference for having multiple creators in the rotation-Gillespie, Goodwin, and Bouyea combined for 61 minutes in a recent game against the Clippers, even with Booker and Green sidelined.
When healthy, all three still see the court, which suggests there’s room for another guard in the mix.
Financially, the Suns are positioning themselves to get under the second apron next season. The recent De’Andre Hunter trade helped in that regard, and a move involving Ball-perhaps flipped for a player like Nick Richards with another piece added-could be the next step in that chess match.
So, is Lonzo Ball the answer to a pressing problem in Phoenix? Not exactly.
The current trio is holding things down just fine. But if the Suns can acquire Ball on the cheap, with a chance to rehab his value and potentially lock in a versatile guard for the future, it’s the kind of low-risk, high-reward move that fits the team’s recent M.O.
The Suns don’t need to be desperate. But they do need to be smart. And if Ball can be had for next to nothing, it might be worth picking up the phone.