Stephon Marbury recently discussed with Scoop B. Robinson how the Phoenix Suns could enhance their roster and become serious NBA title contenders. Marbury believes the Suns need a scoring point guard who can also facilitate the offense effectively. He suggested Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers as a potential fit for Phoenix due to his versatile skill set and growth potential.
Marbury said, “They need a scoring point guard—someone who can spark the team and score. Tyrese Haliburton from the Indiana Pacers comes to mind. He didn’t play much in the Olympics this year.”
He added, “If he builds more strength, he could be exceptional. He’s got a big heart, but sometimes it seems he doesn’t match the intensity of others. Once he adds about 15-20 pounds of muscle, he’ll stand out even more.”
Marbury believes that playing with Phoenix would bring out the best in Haliburton, noting his ability to handle and push the ball effectively.
With the Suns’ current star lineup of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, the team struggled with consistency during the 2023-24 season and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. Marbury sees Haliburton as the missing link who could enhance their offense and elevate their postseason performance.
However, acquiring Haliburton while retaining the Suns’ current “Big 3” is nearly impossible. The Suns are facing severe salary cap limitations, with an expected total payroll exceeding $420 million for the 2024-25 season. Their salary cap is $198 million, but they are projected to pay $223 million in luxury taxes.
As a second-apron team, Phoenix faces restrictions on trading and cannot combine multiple contracts to match Haliburton’s salary. Additionally, convincing the Indiana Pacers to trade Haliburton would be challenging, as he is considered a key part of their future. The Pacers value his elite playmaking and scoring, making it unlikely they would part with him without a substantial offer.
Phoenix also lacks the draft assets and depth beyond their Big 3 to make a compelling trade offer. With future picks committed in previous trades and most remaining players being role players, the Suns are unlikely to secure Haliburton without giving up one of their star players.
