Mar 26, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Phoenix Suns shooting guard Goran Dragic (1) looks to pass as Washington Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal (3) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Wizards are 33-21 at the All-Star break, half a game in front of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Not long ago the Wizards were sitting pretty in the conference’s No. 2 position, but a 4-8 record in their last 12 games has them searching for answers. ESPN’s Marc Stein rated Washington No. 15 overall in the latest edition of his NBA power rankings, only two spots ahead of the 20-31 Boston Celtics. Stein writes:

The Wiz want to be patient and flexible for the future but also want to contend right now in an open East. Do they have enough for the latter without making some sort of low-risk move at the deadline or in the buyout market? That’s what they’re wrestling with now.

There is a window of opportunity in the Eastern Conference this year and the Wizards would be foolish not to jump on it. If they’re going to put themselves in contention for a conference title, they need help. The Phoenix Suns may have the answer.

Recent reports suggest that Phoenix guards Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas could both be on the trading block. At the very least, one of them certainly is:

Hearing Suns want a first-rounder for Goran Dragic and, rest assured, they’ll get it. Rockets got to be tempted. — Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) February 12, 2015

Suns were active on the phones this weekend. The sense is they are ready to deal Dragic, rather than risk losing him to free agency. — Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) February 16, 2015

Sources: Goran Dragic’s agent plans to meet w/ team officials Tuesday, but Phoenix’s determination unchanged: Suns want to re-sign Dragic. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 16, 2015

Word is Suns more apt to try to move IThomas before trade deadline, to restore last season’s roster balance, rather than surrender GDragic — Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 14, 2015

Regardless of which backcourt player Phoenix is interested in dealing, either would be a good fit for the Wizards. Both are capable scorers who can play point guard or shooting guard, which is exactly what Washington is looking for.

After John Wall and Bradley Beal, the Wizards only have two other guards on their roster–journeyman Garrett Temple and 38-year-old Andre Miller. Neither is a particularly appealing option off the bench. Beal’s recent injury has forced both Temple and Miller to take on a lot more minutes than Washington would like.

The need for a reliable third guard (or a replacement for Beal should he miss extended time) is obvious.

Dragic is getting paid $7.5 million this season with a player option for next year at the same amount. But he’s certain to make more than that on the open market, so essentially he’s a free agent. Thomas’ 2014-15 salary is $7.2 million, however he still has three more years and roughly $20 million remaining on his contract.

To trade for either player, Washington must send Phoenix about $7 million in salary in return. Financially the Wizards could get it done by offering Miller’s expiring $4.7 million deal along with DeJuan Blair‘s $2 million per year contract (which still has two more seasons remaining).

Clearly that’s not what Phoenix is interested in, so Washington would have to include at least a future first round draft pick as well, maybe more.

Is that something the Suns might be inclined to go for? Who knows, but the Wizards absolutely need to find out.