Of all the moves the Phoenix Suns made this offseason, bringing in Isaiah Livers barely registered. He missed all of last season with a nasty right hip injury, having been with the Detroit Pistons prior to that.
Detroit has elevated itself to contender status in the Eastern Conference, yet in a deflating loss to the L.A. Clippers recently, they didn't have anybody with the size and mobility to stop a resurgent Kawhi Leonard.
Livers is the wing stopper Pistons badly need back in Detroit
Leonard had a ridiculous 55 points in that victory, simultaneously turning back the clock and also reminding everybody that perhaps the Pistons aren't for real just yet.
This was a point brought up by Bill Simmons recently on his podcast on The Ringer, as he had Rob Mahoney on for a holiday season mailbag.
Although Livers himself was never mentioned by name, Simmons said that the Pistons should be concerned because they don't have a player with the profile to keep Leonard quiet.
We know Livers is that guy because of how much Suns' head coach Jordan Ott already trusts him. He recently missed a month out injured, and upon his return was straight back into the rotation.
He also immediately beat out European import Nigel Hayes-Davis for the backup forward spot in Phoenix this season, and has never looked back.
Whenever the Suns need a stretch of trying to keep a wing scorer who has gotten hot quiet, Livers has emerged as their best option. The franchise likely thought Ryan Dunn would have risen to this spot by now, which has not been the case.
The unfortunate part in all of this is the fact the Suns can't keep everybody currently on their roster around next season, and both Collin Gillespie and Mark Williams are understandably the priorities.
Rival teams likely know this as well, which is why a potential trade for Livers isn't likely to come together. Why give up an asset when you might be able to sign him outright on a team-friendly deal in the summer?
Even if the long-term future of Livers lies elsewhere, this has been another massive win for the front office and General Manager Brian Gregory.
They identified that a player who had missed the entire season last time out and was surplus to requirements in Detroit was worth bringing in, and now he has become the very player the Pistons need. You can take your victory lap whenever you'd like guys.