Updated 07:46 PM EDT, Thu, Mar 28, 2024

NBA Trade Rumors: Phoenix Suns Could Trade for Zach Randolph, Evan Turner; Team Values Emeka Okafor’s Contract

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The Phoenix Suns are expected to become one of the aggressive teams on the trading front before the Feb. 20 trade deadline, according to NBA insiders.

Having six first-round picks in the next two drafts, the Suns will be one of the teams that will dominate the trading floor for the next three weeks.

The Suns entered the 2013-14 NBA season with less expectations, but the arrival of head coach Jeff Hornacek and Eric Bledsoe has helped change the plan of the team's front office.

Phoenix is currently a playoff contender, sitting in seventh place in a very competitive Western Conference race. And the front office is aware they need additional firepower to keep them in the playoff contention for the remainder of the season.

Yahoo Sports NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski believes the Suns will be banking on the fat contract of veteran center Emerka Okafor, whose remaining $14.4 million paycheck for this season would be insured by 80 percent once he remains sidelined with a neck injury by midseason.

"Once Phoenix reached the midway point of its season on Wednesday with Okafor still sidelined with a neck injury, an insurance policy began to take over payment on 80 percent of the remaining $14.4 million on his 2013-14 contract, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

"Whoever deals for Okafor before the trade deadline will receive an insurance payout of $5.7 million - roughly $141,000 per game," the source added.

Suns general manager Ryan McDonough will likely use Okafor's insured contract and sweeten up the package with a first-round pick to make it attractive for interested teams.

"For the Suns, the appeal of Okafor's financially friendly deal - armed with approximately $5 million in remaining salary-cap space - has general manager Ryan McDonough on the search to fortify his roster for a playoff run."

"Despite the loss of point guard Eric Bledsoe to knee surgery, the Suns - 25-18 and holding the seventh seed in the Western Conference playoff chase - are determined to reach the postseason."

The Suns general manager is reportedly looking for an All-Star caliber player whose contract won't affect their cap space flexibility for the next two seasons.

"McDonough has expressed publicly his willingness to explore using his draft picks, young assets and cap space to explore possible deals for All-Star-level players who could become available on the market," Yahoo Sports added.

Suns Could Target Randolph, Turner

With their contract set to expire after the season, Memphis Grizzlies Zach Randolph and Philadelphia 76ers Evan Turner prove to be ideal trade targets for the Suns.

Randolph is still averaging double-double per game (17.1 points and 10.6 rebounds) and his presence should certainly give the Suns some beef and rebounding presence in their frontline. On the other hand, Turner (18.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game) would provide the Suns a playmaking swingman and an impact player on both ends of the floor.

"There's Evan Turner, who has been rumored to be available and could fit in at shooting guard. Or how about this one: Zach Randolph, who is on an expiring deal and with the Grizzlies struggling to make the postseason, could be up for grabs soon," CBS Sports NBA insider Royce Young stated.

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