The Verdict: Re-sign Brandon Knight
There’s reason for trepidation over re-signing Knight. Though he was having a great season in Milwaukee, he hasn’t shown anything yet in Phoenix that suggests he’s worth the massive pay day heading his way. His ankle problems will deprive us of seeing how he fits with this team, and that will make his new contract feel undeserved.
But if the Suns can re-sign him for around $12 million per year, that’s not a terrible deal. They’ve already got the Morrii signed to bargain extensions, three players in their core are on rookie-scale deals and the salary cap is set to explode in 2016-17. It might look bad for a year, but the guy is only 23 years old and it’s impossible to judge him as a “bad” long-term fit after only 11 games.
The larger Knight’s deal, the harder it will be to trade him down the line (if it comes to that). But this team is in desperate need of a cultural shift. It needs hope, unity and a set future in place. Players change teams all the time, but a core of Bledsoe, Knight, the Morrii, Len, Goodwin and Warren is a decent starting point.
The Suns still need a star power forward or small forward to take the next step. The Morrii would be more appreciated if they were coming off the bench as they should be. But until the time comes when the Suns have players that should unquestionably start ahead of the Morrii, they should focus on establishing the core and reinvigorating life into the idea that star players should want to play in Phoenix.
Like it or not, re-signing Knight — even to an overpriced deal — is the first step of that process.
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