Phoenix Suns: 5 Lessons From 2015 NBA Trade Deadline
3. Two PG Lineups Will Continue
If you thought that the Suns were going to revert back to a traditional lineup when they traded Dragic and Thomas away within minutes of each other, guess again. Ennis is also gone, but it was in a three-team team that brings in Brandon Knight, easily the best player involved in that deal.
Knight and Eric Bledsoe are both extremely effective with the ball in their hands. As combo guards, they’re also capable of playing off the ball. McDonough was quick to note that the two-PG system will continue, which should come as no surprise to anyone:
McDonough said signing Thomas wasn't a mistake. "He played well & we played well." Said the 2-PG system proved it works but requires buy-in.
— Paul Coro (@paulcoro) February 20, 2015
Now the only thing to be determined is how Knight feels about joining a team where he won’t be in complete control of the offense. With the Milwaukee Bucks this season, Knight was averaging 17.8 points, 5.4 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting nearly 41 percent from three-point range.
Some thought Knight was snubbed of an All-Star spot, given his strong numbers and the obvious fact that he was the best player on a playoff-bound Bucks team. But as we learned with the Isaiah Thomas acquisition, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. In the words of Walter White, the chemistry must be respected.
So far, we’re getting conflicting reports about how Knight feels about his new home:
@briesop He was bummed when he found out about the deal. He is a combo guard but he wants to be a point.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) February 19, 2015
A friend who has known Brandon Knight for many years said he's quiet, smart & hard-working. Will he be OK with often being a 2? "No doubt."
— Paul Coro (@paulcoro) February 20, 2015
There’s probably a little bit of truth to both. It’s worth mentioning, though, that Knight has yet to offer his own thoughts on the deal. Most traded players yesterday took to Twitter to express their disappointment, say their goodbyes or show their excitement about their new destinations. Knight’s last tweet? Still Feb. 18.
Let’s not read too much into the situation based on a lack of tweeting, but it will be interesting to see how the Bledsoe-Knight dynamic plays out. An all-Kentucky backcourt, especially one so athletic and young, is exciting on paper. But with Knight being a restricted free agent this summer, the Suns could have another Bledsoe situation on their hands, albeit a less expensive one.
Next: Lesson No. 2