The Phoenix Suns surprised many by convincing point guard Pat Spencer to sign a two-way contract with the organization this offseason, but he knew the fit between him and The Valley would be a perfect match from day one.
Style of play last season convinced Spencer that Suns were the move
The 30-year-old was one of a number of players who spoke to the Suns' official channels as part of their preseason preparations, and revealed what he saw from the group last season and who he is as a player ensured the Suns were top of his list of preferred destinations after leaving the Golden State Warriors.
"It's part of the reason I came here, to be honest with you. I felt like this group last year kind of embodied who I am as a player. Hard-nosed, had an edge; you knew you had to compete every single night when you played against these guys. So a lot of respect for JO (Jordan Ott) and what he's built in his first year and it just felt like the right fit um for what I'm where I'm at my career, what I value."
The Suns are again going to lean into being an annoying opponent every night, and are already getting more from youngsters like Khaman Maluach to help make that happen. The part Spencer did not say out loud, but which is just as important for him personally, is having watched another hard-nosed guard in Collin Gillespie turn a two-way deal into a four-year, $48 million payday.
He has only featured in two of the team's preseason games so far, averaging under 10 minutes each night. When you consider that Jalen Green is saying all of the right things about being more of a floor general, as well as Coach Ott trying to find time for Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and Jamaree Bouyea, it is no surprise that Spencer is finding game time hard to come by.
That will continue into the season and speaks to the depth the franchise has managed to put together. Much more encouraging is the 50 percent Spencer has shot from 3-point range (albeit on a tiny sample size), and being able to consistently make those shots while willingly defending whoever is put in front of him is what helped Gillespie stick with the main roster when he was on a two-way.
Spencer will become fan favorite whenever he gets chance to shine
Fans in Phoenix won't get to see Spencer all the time, given the nature of a two-way contract, but his style of play is exactly what Coach Ott wants from his fourth lead guard. A player who won't get a chance to impress too often and will grind away in the G League but will be a nightmare to come up against when he finally is unleashed.
He also has a lot more experience than Gillespie did prior to arriving from the Denver Nuggets, with 119 total games played in the Bay Area. We have already seen the Suns use an interesting and potentially devastating three-guard lineup in preseason play. Although Spencer was not a part of that group, he has the style of play to slot right in and give Coach Ott different combinations to work with.
Spencer didn't choose the Suns so that he could be their best and most intense guard during practice, but that is surely another benefit of having him within the organization. He will take no days off, just like this team, and that is why they are the perfect match.
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