Brandon Knight (Photo : Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers could explore trading for an established point guard, and Brandon Knight of the Phoenix Suns emerges as a trade target for Philly.
The Suns suddenly have a crowded backcourt, with Eric Bledsoe back as Phoenix's starting point guard this season. Beldsoe's return and Devin Booker's emergence have given the Suns a talented backcourt duo, but have relegated Brandon Knight to the second unit.
Despite already possessing plenty of guards in their roster, there seems no real intention from the Suns to trade away Knight. But considering the team's loaded backcourt, it is a possibility Phoenix could consider.
Maxwell Ogden of Sports Illustrated's Fansided listed teams that could potentially make a run at Knight. Among the teams included in Ogden's proposed trade scenarios are Philadelphia 76ers, who have a logjam of their own to address.
"The Philadelphia 76ers have a surplus of big men and an absence of young and established point guards. Sergio Rodriguez is incredibly skilled, but at 30 years of age, he represents the short-term future of the Sixers," Ogden wrote.
"If Philadelphia is willing to part ways with one of its big men, then bringing Brandon Knight to Philadelphia could solidify its efforts in the short and long-term."
Ben Simmons was supposed to be the 76ers' top playmaker, but the first overall pick is expected to be out until January, leaving Philly with Sergio Rodriguez as the only reliable option to run the point. Trading for Knight, who averages 15.8 points and 4.5 assists per game, would give the 76ers a young and talented PG who can maximize the team's big men.
Recent rumors have suggested that the 76ers could trade one of their frontcourt pieces to address the logjam at the center position, and Nerlens Noel is appearing as the likely odd man out in Philadelphia, with the 22-year-old center seemingly disgruntled about the team's frontcourt situation.
"I feel like it definitely needs to be figured out," Noel said during the 76ers' media day.
"I think at the end of the day, again, you have three starting-caliber centers. And it's just not going to work to anybody's advantage having that on the same team. That's how I'm looking at it. I'm not opposed to anything, but things need to be situated."
The 76ers still have $10 million of cap space available, which makes means swapping Noel for Knight would work under the NBA salary guidelines. However, it remains to be seen whether the Suns would be interested in adding another big man, with the team already stacked at the frontcourt.
Video courtesy: YouTube/FreeDawkins
