The Phoenix Suns made a minor trade with the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, prompting Suns general manager Ryan McDonough to call it the groundwork for a bigger trade. If McDonough is looking to make a blockbuster trade before the February deadline, Goran Dragic or Gerald Green is the most likely to go.
It didn't steal headlines on Wednesday, but Detroit traded forward Tony Mitchell to Phoenix for forward Anthony Tolliver. The deal opened a roster spot and more cap room for the Suns, who now are poised to pursue a trade for a big-name player before the Feb. 19 deadline.
"The thought process is to try to put ourselves in the mix to add a big player via trade," McDonough told the Arizona Republic of why he traded Tolliver. "We want to be aggressive and active. We want to solidify ourselves as a playoff team. The flexibility would allow us more wiggle room to make a trade."
Dumping Tolliver and picking up Mitchell lifted Phoenix's cap space to more than $6.1 million, according to the Republic.
"We have a good core of guys in their early 20s and mid-20s and they have us in the playoff hunt," McDonough said of who they might target in a trade this season. "It'd be something in that range that could help us this year and then grow with us."
Phoenix (16-14) will be looking for an upgrade in the frontcourt. They already have a crowded backcourt, and the contracts of Dragic and Green - a player option and an expiring deal, respectively - make them the most likely to go. Dragic and Green also have value, which could help net Phoenix a talented big man.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been reported to have interest in both Dragic and Green; the Chicago Bulls need scoring from the wing, and Green could be a fit there.
