Phoenix Suns: Predicting player stats for 2022-23 – Duane Washington Jr.
Across September, Valley of the Suns will deliver predicted stat lines for all 16 players currently contracted to the Phoenix Suns for the 2022-23 season.
After his impressive rookie season in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns did a sterling job to sign Duane Washington Jr. to a two-way contract this offseason. The opportunity came about after the Indiana Pacers waived him following the Malcolm Brogdon trade.
His contract limits Washington to 50 regular season games next season, also making him ineligible for playoff action at this stage. Still, he has the opportunity to be an interesting player for the Suns in 2022-23.
Signed to a two-way contract, Duane Washington Jr faces an uphill battle to make a big impact with the Phoenix Suns this season.
Washington played 48 games for the Pacers last season, averaging 9.9 points in just over 20 minutes per game. While technically a point-guard and standing at 6’3″, the 22-year-old may be best used off the ball where the Suns offense can utilize his elite catch-and-shoot ability (shot 41.4% on these attempts last season).
Conversely, he’s not necessarily going to be penetrating opposition defenses and finishing at the rim – he shot just 33.3% in the paint (non-restricted area) last season.
Like anyone on a two-way deal, Washington’s chances will be predicated on what happens further up the roster. The Suns lack of point-guard depth does present him with a possible opportunity, depending on the form of Cameron Payne and the fitness/management of veteran Chris Paul. On the contrary, his fortunes could be disrupted should the Suns acquire another point-guard option at some point in the coming months.
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It’s difficult to envisage Washington gaining the same amount of playing time as he did with the Pacers last season. As a result, you’d imagine his numbers to reduce across the board. On Washington’s side is the fact Phoenix have one roster spot remaining. If that maintains, then he could be fighting with Ish Wainright for a spot on the main roster come later in the season.