The Phoenix Suns, Indiana Pacers, and New York Knicks discussed a three-team trade that would send Indiana guard TJ McConnell to the Suns, Phoenix guard Cameron Payne to the Knicks, and New York forward Evan Fournier to the Pacers along with draft pay, according to HoopsHype.
Journalist Michael Scotto did not clarify why the reported talks stopped. He said that if the trade went through, the Knicks would create a traded player exception of more than $19 million.
Each team is looking to make moves to finalize their respective rosters for the 2023-24 season. Payne, who played the last three-and-a-half seasons with the Suns, has recently been seen as a player they could trade. He has backed up Chris Paul, who was traded to the Washington Wizards and then the Golden State Warriors this offseason, as a point guard for the last three years.
McConnell played in 75 games last season for the Pacers and averaged a career-best 8.7 points per game, while also hitting his career-best 3-point percentage (44.1). He could be a Phoenix to enhance defensively, as the Suns will have a new identity under head coach Frank Vogel. Payne is seen as an offensive weapon that can pick up pace but is a little more limited on defense.
After setting the Knicks’ single-season record for 3-pointers made, Fournier surprisingly dropped out of the team’s rotation last season. He played in just 27 games and averaged 6.1 points, his second-lowest career total.