Wild Suns Trade Proposal Sends Jalen Green, Others to Lakers for Luka Doncic

The Phoenix Suns are in the midst of a transitionary period, as the organization is attempting to remain competitive while also building towards contention despite facing several roster-building roadblocks. 

There remains a clear strategy that GM Brian Gregory is taking, with several trade targets that could change the franchise moving forward, including Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic - who is entering a crucial season with the franchise.

While Doncic may opt to remain with Los Angeles beyond this season, there's reason to believe that the door is open for a trade over the next season. The trade proposal below is a mock of what Phoenix's offer could look like in the event that this became a reality.

Phoenix Receives: Doncic

Los Angeles Receives: Jalen Green, Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, Koa Peat, Collin Gillespie, three second round picks

The over-arching question here rests in whether the Lakers would be motivated to take a player-heavy package in the event that a trade became a possibility. A Doncic trade demand would send shockwaves through the NBA and would open the door for a bidding war - does Phoenix have enough to get a deal done?

The hope in this scenario is that Maluach, Fleming, and Peat in particular show major value in the upcoming season. Maluach making a leap into being a starting-level center would be especially crucial.

Green has real potential to finally breakthrough in year six as well, but would more consistency on the court compel the Lakers to make a long-term investment? That is another conversation that must be had, although his salary makes this deal work on paper. Gillespie is slated to be own of the best-value contracts in basketball in future seasons, and would be a nice consolation for the Lakers to build around.

A third team would likely need to be slotted into this proposed deal as well, as the Suns would be at 11 standard contract players, while the Lakers would sit at 19 players. The league maximum for standard contract roster spots is 15, while each team must roster at least 14 players. 

There are roadblocks that may prevent a trade from getting done in this event, but there's little doubt that the Suns would benefit greatly from acquiring Doncic. The perennial All-NBA member would fit like a glove next to Booker on the court, as he would be empowered to return to a more natural two-guard role. Doncic would also be in a prime position to maximize the remaining members of the Phoenix roster, including center Mark Williams and G/F Jordan Goodwin.