The NBA trade deadline came alive late Tuesday night when Goran Dragic requested a trade from the Suns. On Wednesday, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne revealed even more on the trade front regarding Dragic.
The Phoenix Suns are officially stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, they have their star point guard requesting a trade despite his team fighting for the playoffs. The Suns management, understandably, do not want to deal the guard before Thursday’s trade deadline.
On the other hand, Dragic has already spoken out that he would not be signing an extension this summer if the Suns do not trade him by the 3 PM deadline Thursday, forcing Phoenix’s hand. As a result, the Suns have been in trade talks with various teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the Lakers and Suns talked a Dragic trade last week, but Phoenix countered by offering Isaiah Thomas, which the Lakers rebuffed:
Adding to @ESPNSteinLine reporting. Lakers & Suns talked Dragic last week. Phoenix countered w/ Thomas
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 18, 2015
Phoenix also asked if Lakers would remove protection on the pick they owe them (currently top 5) protected. No traction on either discussion
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 18, 2015
Fellow ESPN NBA Insider Marc Stein added a little bit more detail to the discussions, stating that the Lakers still intend to keep flexibility this summer.
"But sources told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that the Suns, after fielding the Lakers’ pitch for Dragic late last week, countered by offering Thomas to L.A. ESPN.com reported over the weekend that the Suns were actively trying to deal Thomas in hopes of reducing their backcourt logjam and appeasing Dragic, but sources say that the Lakers quickly rebuffed the Thomas proposal, determined to maintain as much salary-cap flexibility as possible to chase the likes of Dragic, Marc Gasol and Rajon Rondo in free agency this summer."
The last tidbit of Shelburne’s two tweets is laughable with the Suns thinking the Lakers will remove the protections on their pick, but the first part is encouraging. The Lakers appear set on not overspending for Dragic at the trade deadline when they know they have a good chance at landing him during free agency.
With the deadline fast approaching, the Suns could begun to lower the asking price or simply call Dragic’s bluff and hold on to him. Either way, we’re in for a frantic final 24 hours.
Next: NBA Trade Deadline: 5 Reasons The Lakers Should Trade For Goran Dragic
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