NBA Rumors: The Reason Why the Suns Are No Longer So Interested in Darius Garland
The Arizona franchise wants to fully trust Jalen Green, which limits the chances of acquiring a new guard in the market.
The rumors will accompany the Phoenix Suns for much of the 2026-27 season, at least until the regular competition allows for a clearer definition of the team's direction. Among the speculations is the need for the franchise to continue advancing towards contention at the top, while the upcoming sanctions for the Los Angeles Clippers could open up an opportunity for Phoenix.
Darius Garland, an option on the table
The Clippers' guard, Darius Garland, could become available due to the loss of five first-round draft picks by the franchise. This situation would make the Suns an ideal trade partner, even though Phoenix also lacks many draft assets.
However, Suns reporter John Gambadoro downplayed expectations around this possibility on Wednesday and practically told the franchise's fans not to get their hopes up with this route.
Jalen Green changes the landscape
The analysis of the situation fits particularly well when considering what is known about Jalen Green, who is entering his second season with the Suns. To start, Phoenix would not have chosen the Houston Rockets as partners to complete the Kevin Durant trade if the franchise did not have a high valuation of Green.
The guard, selected in the draft lottery, maintains that talent profile even as he enters his sixth year, and he was the top scorer of the 2021 draft class.
The Suns' expectations for Green appear to be even higher. There is a real possibility that the 1.93-meter player will act as the de facto primary playmaker for Phoenix at the start of the season. If that happens, the need to acquire Garland would immediately vanish.
The Suns' management has invested too much in Green's development to now give up on that project, so making the 2026-27 season a turning point for the player would make a lot of sense.
An overly high price for Phoenix
Beyond Green, a potential trade for Garland would likely force the Suns to include Khaman Maluach or forward Rahseer Fleming, in addition to a lottery pick, to compensate for the franchise's lack of draft selections.
The big question would be whether Phoenix should part with its last lottery pick in its control, which it directly selected since Jalen Smith in 2020. The opportunity cost is evident: Garland theoretically projects as an elite fit alongside Devin Booker, but his arrival would also require the organization to shed younger talent under 25 to attempt to build a title contender.
The possibility of acquiring Garland is, therefore, a conversation worth having. However, the numerous logistical difficulties and the need to sacrifice young players under the Suns' control significantly complicate the operation.
Until that situation changes, Phoenix will have to trust that Jalen Green demonstrates real evolution as the primary playmaker.
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