Midseason report card with second half expectations

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 14: Marquese Chriss #0 of the Phoenix Suns controls the ball during the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

There is no single player on the Suns’ roster to date who is more beloved by some, yet frowned upon by others. Marquese Chriss is the most controversial member of the Phoenix Suns since Markieff Morris, his slow development and sometimes lack of emotional control that has driven a wedge between him and some fans.

There is no doubt that Marquese has the physical gifts to be the kind of player that we all wish him to be: a stretch four with the ability to slash to the rim and crash the boards, the kind of player who can both post-up, as well as come off of a pick and roll ready to hit an open jumper.

The problem is, while those physical gifts are obvious, the skills to be able to become that we-rounded of a player, and possibly the drive to push himself to stardom seem to be lacking.

It is very possible that he is closer to becoming Tyrus Thomas than Amar’e Stoudemire, a fear that as his second season nears a conclusion, is beginning to sink in.

As Ryan McDonough looks to improve the roster this summer, the one player that most fans seem to point at as the potential centerpiece of a blockbuster trade is ‘Quese. If he is seen this way not only by the Suns but by teams around the league, then his final 23 games can both help and hurt that scenerio’s potential fruition:

Should he play well, McDonough might prefer to keep him and move someone else instead; at the same time, his value will likely rise as well making the ability to make a trade that much easier.

However, if he either plays poorly or just totally stagnates, his presumably moderate at best trade value will only sink even more, and the necessity to add him into a blockbuster trade may be flustered as a team on the other end of a blockbuster trade might demand an additional piece of some kind to help create some sort of equal compensation in return.

Of course, everyone involved would prefer to see ‘Quese take these last 23 games to take that next step forward, either proving himself to be that dominant, athletic power forward we all hope him to be, or making his trade value rise even higher making easier the opportunity for a blockbuster trade.

Grade: C

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