#4 T.J. McConnell
T.J. McConnell has become a social media darling, but not so much for his impact on the game.
The undersized Sixers backup can be seen in the background of most Philadelphia highlights – waving towels, fiercely clapping or hollering until his face resembles a tomato. Think Drake with a NBA contract and less shoulder rubs.
But what can the Suns accomplish with a player more known for his court storming than his court vision?
McConnell is a local product, signing with the Sixers as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona in 2015.
The 6’2, 190lb point guard has made himself comfortable as a limited contributor on a NBA roster by making his opponents as uncomfortable as possible. He’s a spark plug off the bench – using his high motor and pesky defensive attack to frustrate opposing guards into making poor decisions.
He’s not going to set the hoop on fire, but he makes specific plays that don’t appear on the stat sheet. Deflections. Hustling for loose balls. Setting charges. If you need effort, McConnell is going to leave it all out on the floor.
He’ll be cheap, and if the Suns plan to retain restricted free agent Kelly Oubre Jr., cheap might be all Phoenix may be able to afford.
Though he has played meaningful playoff minutes and been a thorn in the side of numerous teams in the league, it’s hard to shake the fact that McConnell might have already hit his ceiling as a playmaker.
And with a career 6.4 points per game with just under five assists, no amount of hustle plays will be able to help the Suns escape from being in the same position they were at the start of last season – without an impactful point guard.