5-on-5: What’s Most Disappointing About Suns Losing Streak?
5. Should Brandon Knight play in any more games this season if his ankle is not 100% recovered from that sprain he reaggravated on Sunday?
Bourguet: No. There’s definitely a sense of urgency from the fan perspective to get him back on the floor and watch him grow alongside Bledsoe, but those two aren’t going to build chemistry in the seven remaining games of the season. These things take time, so as much as it’ll be hard to get excited about Knight’s new contract based on his small sample size of time in Phoenix, the biggest priority is making sure not to re-aggravate that ankle injury.
Chasen: If he isn’t 100% healthy, no, but I suspect he’ll be 100% good to go before the end of the year. Like with Goodwin and Warren, I would try to get him as many reps with the starters as possible, just to build that chemistry, but obviously you don’t want to play a guy in meaningless games if he is injured or hindered in any way.
Hann: Absolutely, 1000%, NO. The Suns are going to re-sign Knight no matter what this offseason (they kind of have no choice after surrendering the Lakers pick for him). Pushing him to play in their last few pointless games with a bum ankle is a risk they would be extremely wise to pass on. Knight is a player that Phoenix sees as one of their four core pieces moving forward (Bledsoe, Markieff, Len), let him rest the rest of the season and start fresh next year and to be perfectly honest, I have a hard time making a case for any player to receive playing time besides Bullock, Goodwin or Warren.
Saar: It’s the delicate balance between seeing what you have in Knight (though I think we already know) versus keeping him healthy.
Schall: No he shouldn’t, but if he gets there he has to be on the floor. The Suns gave up a hell of a lot to get him and whether or not they resign him, shapes the direction the team is going. Ideally they’d be operating with as large as much information as possible when making that decision and a healthy Knight getting more time with Bledsoe and co. accomplishes that. That being said I’d be absolutely shocked if Knight isn’t in a Suns uniform next season, considering what the Suns were willing to give up for half a season and negotiating leverage.
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