Report: Suns looking for 1st-round pick in exchange for Goran Dragic

The Phoenix Suns may be in the thick of the Western Conference playoff chase, but they're also keeping an eye fixed firmly on the future. 

In a move that would certainly not benefit them in the short term, the Suns are reportedly dangling point guard Goran Dragic - an unrestricted free agent at season's end - in the hopes of netting a first-round draft pick, according to Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. 

There seems to be a sense around the organization that even if the Suns were to sneak into the playoffs as the eighth seed, the team, as presently constructed, has a relatively low ceiling. 

"I think our roster balance is a little off and that's my fault," Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said Wednesday. "We are a little too backcourt heavy, especially in terms of guys who, you know, I think you'd define primarily as scorers in the backcourt.

"So I think at some point we'll need to balance that out, try to get a little more size, a little more frontcourt scoring and rebounding."

With point guards Eric Bledsoe and Isaiah Thomas already locked up for at least the next two seasons beyond this one, it's hard not to see Dragic's impending free agency as a ticket out of Phoenix. 

If the Suns can pull in something of value - and they should be able to given Dragic's skill and pedigree - it would make sense for them to do so while they still can, even if fans might be livid with what would likely amount to punting on the postseason. 

There are a handful of playoff hopefuls and fringe contenders with needs at point guard. The Houston Rockets, for one, have made no secret of their desire to bring back Dragic, who played 88 games for them between 2011 and 2012.  

Even under the fear of trading a valuable piece for what ultimately turns out to be a two-to-four-month rental, Dragic's potential impact on a postseason run would seem too great to pass up.

With the trade deadline just a week away, we'll soon find out.