What Phoenix Suns fans are saying about a potential Darius Garland trade

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PHOENIX — With the Los Angeles Clippers suddenly facing one of the bleakest draft outlooks in the NBA, Phoenix Suns fans have started pondering whether the situation could create an opportunity for their own team.

The NBA stripped the Clippers of five future first-round picks covering the 2029-33 drafts as part of a larger punishment tied to the league’s investigation into salary-cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard. The development could force Los Angeles to reconsider its roster and create potential trade opportunities.

The Suns have built their current core with members of last year’s team and newer pieces acquired through trades and signings, trying to complement Devin Booker and build upon the foundation laid in 2025-26. But as Phoenix looks for ways to improve that foundation, there is still a glaring need in the backcourt: a true point guard.

The Suns have Booker, Jalen Green and other capable guards, but the roster still lacks a proven lead playmaker who can consistently organize the offense and create shot opportunities. Enter Clippers guard Darius Garland, whom many fans have pointed to as a potential solution.

The 26-year-old guard was acquired by the Clippers from Cleveland for James Harden at the 2026 trade deadline. A Garland-Booker backcourt would give Phoenix a more traditional offensive structure, allowing Booker to spend more time in his natural shooting-guard role while Garland handles much of the playmaking.

Fans are already speculating about what a potential trade could look like and what Los Angeles could get in return.

happy to assist with home purchasing needs for Darius Garland in phoenix and home selling services for mr Green if need , I’m on standby 🫡

but ya Jalen and a 1st and some 2nds for Garland is worth pursuing

— Phoenix Housing 🏡 Insights (@NickPtak) September 2, 2026

The Suns could trade for Darius Garland, but a straight-up deal with the Clippers isn’t at all attractive in my opinion.

Phoenix simply doesn’t have enough tradeable assets it would realistically want to part with to make a two-team deal work for both sides at the moment.

— Martin Hristov (@hristov_martin) September 3, 2026

Y’a vraiment un débat dans la commu sur savoir si envoyer Jalen Green contre Darius Garland est une bonne idée ou pas ?

Ah ouais la pause de ce compte fait du bien parfois mdr

— Suns France 🇫🇷 (@Suns_France) September 3, 2026

Phoenix Suns: Receive
Daruis Garland

Los Angeles Clippers: Receive
Jalen Green
First Round Pick

MAKE IT HAPPEN. IMMEDIATELY!!!! pic.twitter.com/AlOdanaqe9

— 𝑫𝒐𝒎𝑷𝑻2 (@24Dominixk) September 3, 2026

PG: Darius Garland
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Dillon Brooks
PF: Miles Bridges
C: Khaman Maluach

sign me up 👀 https://t.co/4yDjzG5rN3

— CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) September 2, 2026

Why the Suns should go after Darius Garland:
• Elite secondary playmaker next to Book ⁰• Takes pressure off Book⁰• 40%+ three-point shooting ⁰• Gives Phoenix another shot creator ⁰• Overall fits well with the team
Booker + Garland would give the Suns a completely… pic.twitter.com/iEDf0uhQj6

— 15 (@sexcboyjaden) September 3, 2026

There’s no indication that a Garland trade to the Valley is imminent.

But with Los Angeles suddenly facing its new reality and lacking future first-round picks, the franchise could be forced to explore different ways to reshape its roster, opening the door to conversations that previously may not have been possible.

For some Suns fans, Garland represents a real opportunity to pair Booker with an elite offensive playmaker. For others, it remains just a what-if.

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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde

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