3 G League Point Guard Options for the Phoenix Suns

Briante Weber (6-2, 170 pounds, 25 years old)

The Phoenix Suns could use some more defense on the team. I use the term “more” very loosely because it’s barely played at all.

Even coming over from the G League, Weber would help immediately in that respect. So it would be a worth while signing if just for that. He was named to the Atlantic 10 All Defensive Team three times in college.

He led the NCAA in steals in 2014 and was just 12 picks shy of becoming the NCAA’s all time career leader in take aways. In the G League, he was twice named to the All Defensive Team. For a team that struggles on that end, it really wouldn’t hurt to see if he can translate that to the pro game.

There is bad on Briante. He’s already been given a chance by 5 different NBA teams in the last 3 seasons totaling appearances in 45 games.

In that time he put up a 41-19-73 shooting line, only made 5 threes in that entire span and averaged just 3.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.9 steals with 0.7 turnovers in 13.6 minutes per game. That’s not inspiring. However, a good player develops over time. He’s shown signs that he’s done just that.

Take it back to last season. In 2017-18, he made 4 of 11 triples (36 percent) for the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies. In the preseason this year he made 4 of 7 three pointers (57 percent) and averaged 9 points, 3 assists and 2.6 steals in 16.6 minutes over 5 games.

That doesn’t stand out. But, the three point shot has improved and those steal numbers DO stand out. That’s a jaw dropping 5.6 steals per 36 minutes. Through 4 seasons in the G League, he’s made a total of 98 three pointers on 37.1 percent accuracy. Further proof that he has the potential of making that shot along with solid defense. That would fit great next to Devin Booker.

This season, with Sioux Falls, he’s shot a beautiful 58-55-81 line, making 1 triple each night for 15.7 points along with 5.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.1 steals with 2.9 turnovers in 30.1 minutes per game.

Speaking of defense, he’s already had 2 games with 8 steals. That’s impressive. There really is no reason the Suns shouldn’t give Weber a chance.