Phoenix Suns: 6 worst players to wear the uniform numbers of legends

6. Gani Lawal #31

Shawn Marion should be in the Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor. Full stop. The Matrix spent the majority of his career in the Valley and served as a leader on some of the best teams in team history. He’s not, so I understand why his number is still in circulation, but this feels like one of those instances where someone should nudge a young guy and be like, “Yeah, maybe pick a different number.”

Three players wore #31 after Marion and they are all pretty bad.

First up, Jarell Eddie played on a 10-day contract late in the 2016-2017 season. He scored a total of 24 points in the five games he played for the Suns. He also had a cup of coffee with Washington, Boston, and Chicago, but no other NBA action.

There was also Sebastian Telfair. Fun fact: he originally committed to play for the University of Louisville, which made the other point guard recruit (from Louisville) choose the University of Kentucky. That other recruit was Rajon Rondo who stayed committed to Kentucky after Telfair reneged on his commitment and entered his name into the NBA draft. Rondo went on to have a slightly better NBA career. Telfair had some not-so-terrible years including a season and a half with the Suns back in 2011-2013 but injuries made him a journeyman.

The worst of the bunch to wear #31 after Marion, however, was Gani Lawal. Lawal was so bad I almost didn’t even consider him an option for this list because he only played in one minute and 56 seconds for the Suns, which would be the only minute and 56 seconds in his entire NBA career. Gani Lawal played those minutes back in 2011 where he committed one personal foul and that was it. That is his only NBA stat. One foul. I can’t believe someone let him choose #31.

He’s ranked six on this list because, since Marion’s number isn’t retired and his name isn’t in the Ring of Honor, the audacity is lower. Still, guys on 10-day contracts may want to respect the past a bit more.