The Phoenix Suns are trying to avoid cleaning house at this point in the season, but instead could opt to shake up the roster in hopes that change inspires wins with the team struggling. Phoenix has lost 15 of their last 20 games with the team sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference. Things are only going to get harder as Eric Bledsoe is out for the foreseeable future. Will that inspire trades prior to the deadline in two months?
According to Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com, the Suns will not fire head coach Jeff Hornacek, but will let go of several assistants in order to shake things up. The issue is that even with the coaching changes, the Suns still have issues with their players and that is not improving any time soon. The team will be without leading scorer Bledsoe until at least the All-Star break as ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports the point guard tore his meniscus and will undergo surgery. Considering Bledsoe was averaging 20.4 points and 6.1 assists in what has been a career year for the playmaker, the Suns could have big issues on their hands.
If Phoenix wants to try and right the ship with trades, they have a good piece to make something happen. Markieff Morris is currently serving a two-game suspension after throwing a towel at Hornacek. The power forward is a top trade target for teams during the trading period and now could be when Phoenix makes a big push to get a deal done. According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Houston Rockets are a likely landing spot for Morris as they have someone that might peak the Suns' interest.
With Bledsoe out, Brandon Knight will take over as the starter while Rodney Hood gets more responsibilities. Could Ty Lawson help the Suns move forward? According to Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, the Rockets are teetering on the edge of being sellers during the trade period. Interest is high in Terrence Jones who the team is hesitant on giving up while interest is low on Lawson who the Rockets would love to deal. With the team struggling with consistency at this point in the season, either player could be available.
The Suns might not want Lawson, but they might need him. The point guard has been a failed experiment with the Rockets, but he could find a place alongside Knight. Jones is of course the more ideal target in a trade with Morris as he could easily step in for the forward while preparing for free agency next year. That is not a bad move for Phoenix, but the Suns would have to add value with Morris to make things match up. According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Suns are ready to try and deal Morris as the team now enters sellers mode during the trading period. Whether or not they can get a deal done is the question.
