Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns: Rounding Out The Roster

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 4, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) reaches in on Portland Trail Blazers forward Thomas Robinson (41) during the first quarter of the game at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) reaches in on Portland Trail Blazers forward Thomas Robinson (41) during the first quarter of the game at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Danny Granger (right) talks with Miami Heat guard Norris Cole (left) during the second half against Orlando Magic at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Danny Granger

The first issue (or technically the second I suppose, since the Suns already signed our next guy to a 10-day contract) is figuring out what to do with veteran Danny Granger, who was acquired in the Goran Dragic trade. The Suns already waived new additions John Salmons and Kendall Marshall, but no decision has been made about Granger just yet.

A former star with the Indiana Pacers, Granger averaged 25.8 points per game in his best NBA season…but that was six seasons ago. He averaged more than 20 points per game in the two years following his breakout 2008-09 campaign, but injury troubles plagued a once promising career.

Since then, he’s been traded by the Pacers and played in limited minutes in stints with the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat. Granger is averaging 6.3 points in 20.4 minutes per game on 35.7 percent shooting from three-point range this season. Granger could help the Suns from the three-point line in theory, but with P.J. Tucker, Marcus Morris and T.J. Warren already on the roster, there’s a logjam at the three.

Letting Phoenix’s warlock training staff try to revitalize his legs and his career is an intriguing prospect (especially for a former New Mexico resident like myself), but taking away minutes from Warren is the last thing this team should do and it’s unknown if Granger even wants to be in Phoenix.

If the Suns waive Granger, they free up another roster spot and make sure the focus is on developing the young talent. Most likely, my custom-ordered Danny Granger Suns jersey will never come to be.

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