The Suns would like to trade Brandon Knight before the February 23rd deadline, according to Marc Stein of ESPN. The sixth-year guard has been the odd man out in the crowded Phoenix backcourt, starting just four games this season. He played only nine minutes in Thursday’s win over Toronto, fewer than rookie Tyler Ulis. Knight was acquired at the trade deadline in 2015 as part of a three-team deal with the Bucks and Sixers. He became an immediate starter, but a sports hernia limited him to 52 games last season and he was eclipsed in the rotation by Devin Booker. Knight still has three seasons and nearly $44MM left on his contract.
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Kings‘ recent rise in the Western Conference standings may cost them their draft pick, Stein writes in the same story. Sacramento sent a future choice to Cleveland in a 2011 trade for J.J. Hickson, and that pick was moved to Chicago in a 2014 deal involving Luol Deng. The Bulls will get that selection this year only if it falls outside the top 10. Right now, the Kings are 15th in our Reverse Standings.
- The Suns are giving more playing time to rookie forward Dragan Bender, which has resulted in fewer minutes for Jared Dudley, notes Doug Haller of The Arizona Republic. The 31-year-old swingman, who rejoined Phoenix on a three-year, $30MM deal this summer, sat out his third straight game Thursday night. “It’s the NBA,” coach Earl Watson said when asked about Dudley. “Everyone’s all right. We all live a nice life.” Dudley is averaging 8.2 points through 29 games and is shooting 44.4% from 3-point range.
- Warriors coach Steve Kerr is joining the chorus of critics of the NBA’s Last Two Minute officiating reports, relays Sam Amick of USA Today. The league issued a report this week noting that Golden State was hurt by two missed calls late in a Christmas Day loss to the Cavaliers. “It does put the refs in a tough spot,” Kerr said. “I don’t know what it accomplishes, but I do appreciate that the league is trying to be transparent about what they’re looking at, and how the refs are judged and all that. But I’m not sure to what extent it really helps anybody.”
I wish that they would trade Bledsoe instead of Knight. He’s too erratic and not an adequate enough ball-handler to be an effective point guard. Bledsoe and Chandler gone at the deadline would open up more minutes for the younger players. It’s not like the Suns are going anywhere.
The reason why they don’t want to trade Bledsoe is exactly what you said he is the more adequate ball handler and much more consistent than knight. If they trade Bledsoe they don’t have a stable ball handler that can run a team. Ulis is nice but he is an under sized rookie and Booker isn’t a point guard despite him running the offense quite a bit.
Sorry I wasn’t clear. But after having watched him almost every game since he came to PHX, it’s Bledsoe that I think is the inadequate ball-handler and erratic. I just don’t think he’s a good point guard.
My bad I didn’t read your comment correctly the first time. The concern I have with trading Bledsoe is who takes up how role when he is gone. Despite your view on Bledsoe he is a willing passer and an above average defender. Knight is a high volume shooter/score, he a dreadful defender, and a unwilling defender. Tyler Ulis is good but he is young and extremely undersized, the starting point guards in the west will eat him. I don’t think they will trade Bledsoe unless it’s for another point guard with similar skills or if they get something too good to pass on which is doubtful.
I don’t know what you mean, Bledsoe has been killing it recently. He always puts up a great statline, can advance the ball well, and is a decent defender. Knight is the obvious choice for a trade.
Wonder about the market fr Knight. I could see Orlando, Philly, or Sacramento making a play for him.
Knight is very selfish. He will be gone in a week or 2. A low 1st round draft choice will do.