Phoenix Suns: 5 Reasons To Trade Gerald Green

Jan 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) against the Toronto Raptors at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Raptors 125-109. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) against the Toronto Raptors at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Raptors 125-109. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gerald Green
Nov 30, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek and forward Gerald Green (14) against the Orlando Magic at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Fading Role In The Rotation?

It’s a lot easier to write these words given Green’s currently fading role in the rotation. Last season, the Four-Fingered Assassin played all 82 games, averaged 28.4 minutes a night and posted 15.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game on 44.5 percent shooting (40.0 percent from three-point range).

This season, those numbers have taken a slight nosedive to 13.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 20.9 minutes per game on 41.6 percent shooting (37.3 percent from downtown). Now that’s not a horrendous drop-off, but it’s still significant, especially in the wake of his diminishing role in the rotation.

Last Friday against the Chicago Bulls, Green received his first “DNP – CD” (Did Not Play – Coach’s Decision) of his time with the Suns. Hornacek said after the game it was an in-game decision, though many speculated he was being traded. But no deal has been completed yet and in the two games since, Green has logged a total of 16 minutes.

Making matters worse, they haven’t been great minutes. Green had eight points in 13 minutes against the Golden State Warriors, but was clearly gunning to prove he belonged on the floor. Against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, he played a grand total of three minutes, a span in which he committed two turnovers, one flagrant foul and got beat three times defensively.

Next: No. 3