The Phoenix Suns haven’t had a full roster for much the season, but just as most everyone was coming back, two more players have been sidelined.
One of the things Phoenix Suns were looking forward to post-All-Star break was seeing the full complement of their team’s roster (sans Frank Kaminsky). I’m sure Monty Williams and James Jones fit into that group as well.
Alas, with the Suns, it is never that easy.
Just two games into the final stretch of the season, Kelly Oubre Jr. tore his meniscus and is now likely out for the rest of the season.
Last game, Deandre Ayton twisted his ankle and is now listed as doubtful for Friday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The good news is that the injury doesn’t seem to be of the lingering variety. He did some light workouts and Monty Williams said he for sure expects him to be back this season.
If losing Ayton for another game (or more) this season wasn’t enough, Cameron Johnson has been ruled out due to illness.
Illness. Normally that designation is met with a minor eye roll and fists shaken in no particular direction, but nowadays the locker room might need to be fumigated and Cam might find himself quarantined.
The timing is, per the norm, horrible. Johnson is coming off the best game of his career when he knocked down five 3s on his way to 21 points on his birthday. Just when we thought he might prove himself to be the X factor for the Phoenix Suns, he finds himself locked behind a door with a spray-painted red X on the outside (probably).
Considering the Suns only played eight guys on Tuesday, and two of them won’t be available on Friday, they might want to go ahead and fill that open roster spot they have.
Woj told us Jordan McRae was a shoo-in for that spot but after the Detroit Pistons started snooping around, that deal might not be so assured.
They might want to consider re-signing Jordan McRae to another 10-day contract just give them another big body to help get them through this thin patch.
There is also a case for Troy Daniels, former Suns player who was just cut by the Los Angeles Lakers.
If they don’t sign anyone before tipoff, it will be a short bench against the Trail Blazers, considering they just sent Ty Jerome down to the G-League.
It’s time for Booker to carry this team (yet again) and for someone else to step up.