Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Five lingering Suns questions that need answers post trade deadline

By Dallin Funk

PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 06: Interim head coach Jay Triano of the Phoenix Suns looks on from the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 6, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Nets defeated the Suns 98-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - NOVEMBER 06: Interim head coach Jay Triano of the Phoenix Suns looks on from the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets at Talking Stick Resort Arena on November 6, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Nets defeated the Suns 98-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Is the Core-Four now the Core-Three?

SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 29: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 29, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 29: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 29, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Entering the 2017-2018 season many Suns fans referred to the combination of Devin Booker, Josh Jackson, Marquese Chriss, and Dragan Bender as the “core-four,” meaning that these would be the four players that the Phoenix Suns would build around moving forward. However, 54 games into the season, is it time to start asking if Marquese Chriss is closer to being out of the league than to becoming a franchise building block?

Many scouts viewed Chriss as a raw, uber-athletic, talent with sky-high potential coming out of college. There are nights were Chriss puts his athleticism on display with gravity-defying alley-oops, devastating shot blocks, and ferocious put-back slams. However, those highlight plays are few and far between these days. Foul trouble has always been a struggle for Chriss to stay on the court, but Chriss found himself out of a game earlier this season for a different reason. Chris Haynes of ESPN tweeted about Chriss’ suspension:

Not long after the suspension, Chriss was rumored to be involved in trade discussions near the deadline. Although John Gambodoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 reported the rumors as false,

I still believe when there’s smoke, there’s fire. There are some signs that ‘Quese has fallen out of favor with not only the coaching staff but management as well. I am holding firm to the hope that Chriss is going through a rough patch in his second year and will eventually figure it out. I’m going to view him as part of the core-four for now but the reality is, for how much longer?

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