Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Phoenix Suns: 5 Reasons To Keep Gerald Green

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the home opener at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Gerald Green (14) against the Los Angeles Lakers during the home opener at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Gerald Green
Nov 7, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) is congratulated by teammates Goran Dragic (1), Marcus Morris (15) and Gerald Green (14) against the Sacramento Kings in the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Suns In The Playoff Hunt

In a losing season, it wouldn’t matter that Green makes the Suns a better team. In fact, if the Suns were tanking, they’d definitely be playing Goodwin, Warren and Bullock over Green. But Phoenix is not a tanking team. This is a playoff team, whether they finish eighth, ninth or even 10th in the West when all is said and done.

Yes, I’m fully aware only eight teams make the playoffs, but their intention of making the postseason remains the goal. The Suns are the third youngest team in the league, which means now is the time to build chemistry. The next logical step forward in doing that for a talented, young core of Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, Markieff Morris, Alex Len, Isaiah Thomas and Brandan Wright (a free agent this summer) is making the playoffs.

For that to happen, the Suns need veterans who have been around the league like P.J. Tucker and Gerald Green. Trading Green, even for a useful rotation player, risks ruining the chemistry Phoenix has been improving all season long. Remember that 12-14 start? The Suns are 16-8 since. Moving a key bench player like Green risks a chemical upheaval that a team in the playoff hunt can’t afford right now.

Next: No. 2

Home/Suns News