The Phoenix Suns are looking to lock up Eric Bledsoe and as that gets worked on, the team is may also be interested in a trade with Roy Hibbert and Goran Dragic, as reports have come from Pro Basketball Talk that the teams could be looking at making a deal and this comes after the Suns already signed Isaiah Thomas to a free agent contract in the offseason.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Suns and Pacers have looked at a potential trade with Roy Hibbert and Goran Dragic this offseason, as both teams have been looking for upgrades at the positions of those players. ESPN.com writer Marc Stein wrote earlier in the summer that the Pacers were looking to trade for Dragic and while that chatter has slowed, it could be a nice option to help replace Paul George. The Pacers have long wanted to upgrade from George Hill at point guard and this could be a way to get that done.
According to the Sporting News, the Pacers were shopping Hibbert early in the offseason after his rough playoffs performance, but that was before the news came down about Paul George. The Pacers have been trying to find a way to replace George in the lineup and while no one likely can take over and do what he did, the Pacers need to find a way to sustain their production. Hibbert may end up staying, but Indy feels that they have to at least explore some options, as losing George could mean the team has no chance to make a finals run this year.
The Pacers have built their team around George in a sense and while they still can be a strong team in the east, it will be very tough without George. The central division is going to be the toughest in the league now, as LeBron James is back in Cleveland, while the Chicago Bulls added Pau Gasol and are also getting back Derrick Rose healthy.
The Suns had a strong season last year and nearly made the playoffs and now they have the chance to build on that this season. The team doesn't want to deal Dragic, but getting a veteran big man could be huge for the team and since they have Thomas and potentially Eric Bledsoe, they could live with trading Dragic. The Suns and Pacers both have holes heading into the season for different reasons and that could end up leading to a deal.
Alex Len and Tyler Ennis are two players to build around and adding Bledsoe back into the mix will keep the talented backcourt intact. The Suns plan on keeping Bledsoe even if he gets an offer from another team and the Suns have also added Isaiah Thomas this offseason and that could end up being one of the best moves of the offseason. Thomas gives the team a backup option if they trade Dragic and the Suns also have Archie Goodwin and Tyler Ennis in the backcourt and they also have kept PJ Tucker after signing him this offseason as well.
