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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Phoenix Suns
Apr 16, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Ish Smith (3) speaks with head coach Jeff Hornacek between plays against the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Ish Smith

After acquiring Ish Smith from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the three-team trade to bring in Norris Cole, the New Orleans Pelicans waived Smith. Between that and the Suns’ lack of a backup point guard, this reunion pretty much feels like a no-brainer.

By shipping out Dragic, IT and Ennis, the Suns now only have Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight who can play the point guard position. It might be possible for head coach Jeff Hornacek to make sure one of those two is always on the floor, but in the event of fatigue, injury or simply for the sake of not running them into the ground, Phoenix needs a backup point guard.

If the Suns don’t want to use their final roster spot on Ish (in the event Granger stays), we saw Archie Goodwin play the backup point guard spot against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. But playing Goodwin out of position isn’t the way to develop his extensive potential, so why not give Smith a look?

Smith’s best season of his NBA career came with the Suns last year, averaging 3.7 points and 2.6 assists per game. He can’t shoot and he’s not a long-term solution at backup point guard, but he’d do for now. Plus, we’d get to hear “Ish swish!” on the Suns broadcasts again.

Next: T-Rob

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