As the Phoenix Suns prepare to hit free agency, they’ll likely look to fill the hole at point guard. But can in-house Brandon Knight do the job?
Now is the time for the Suns to decide whether or not they believe in Brandon Knight as their short-term solution at point guard. With free agency set to begin shortly, how the Suns feel about Knight will have a major impact on what they decide to do.
If they trust Knight with the starting point guard job, they can avoid spending on another starting caliber guard in free agency and instead focus on plugging other holes. But if they don’t think Knight’s their guy, they’ll have to sign a point guard, possibly at the expense of a stretch four or backup center option.
There are plenty of reasons to believe in Knight’s ability, but even more to question it. Let’s start with the questions first.
More than anything, Knight’s health is a major uncertainty. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL, and it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll be the same when he returns. And that’s not even the end of it. Knight hasn’t played 60 games since 2013-14 season. Does he have the durability to be a main contributor over an entire 82 game season?
Once we get past health, it’s also a matter of whether or not his play is where it used to be. He shot over 40 percent from three in 2014-15, but that dropped all the way to 32.4 percent in 2016-17. And while he averaged 19.6 points as a starter three seasons ago, that fell to 11.0 in less minutes off the bench the next year.
That all being said, Knight’s potential is certainly tantalizing. He’s shown the potential to knock down the three at an above average clip. He’s also a capable passer and ball handler, checking off all the boxes the Phoenix Suns need to fill. And he’s still only 26 and already under contract for two more seasons.
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The Suns will have to decide if they think Knight, despite his injuries and possible decline in play, can handle running the offense next season. If they don’t, they’ll look to replace him in free agency. But if they do, they can look to use their cap space elsewhere, making for a very interesting summer.