All things considered, it seems like the Phoenix Suns’ title window has shut right before their eyes.
That’s unless they start making some moves to salvage this campaign, especially given how many injuries they’ve dealt with thus far.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, they might as well try to do just that, as they’ve reportedly set their sights on Charlotte Hornets combo forward, Jaden McDaniels:
“There’s been increasing interest in Charlotte Hornets forward Jalen McDaniels around the league as a potential trade candidate,” Charania said on The Rally. “Sources tell me that the Suns have emerged as a team with interest in (Jalen) McDaniels, among several others in recent weeks, and McDaniels is a player who makes sense for the Suns to target in a potential Jae Crowder three-team deal. This is a 6’9” wing, 2-way player who’s having a career year averaging nearly 11 points, five rebounds, two assists; defends multiple positions, makes over one three a game.”
“Sources tell me that the Suns have emerged as a team with interest in (Jalen) McDaniels, among several others in recent weeks.”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on teams showing interest in the Charlotte Hornets forward. pic.twitter.com/eyv3keH3Oi
— The Rally (@TheRally) January 10, 2023
Jae Crowder decided to sit out until the team found him a trade partner, but that stance has only made a transaction all the more complicated.
Even so, adding McDaniels to their core would most definitely do wonders for the team, as he would provide another much-needed wing-stopper who could also stretch the floor.
The Suns are currently seventh in the Western Conference with a 21-21 record and a plethora of injuries, so the next few weeks will be key to determining whether they’ll be buyers or sellers ahead of the trade deadline.
NEXT: 2023 Hasn't Been Kind To The Suns