Perfect buyout candidate emerges after Devin Booker rolls ankle for Suns
The Phoenix Suns still have one roster spot to fill, and in the wake of Devin Booker rolling his ankle recently, this point guard could be the perfect solution.
By Luke Duffy
The Phoenix Suns endured a miserable night on Saturday, as they dropped a game to the entirely beatable Houston Rockets. It was not the defeat itself which will have caused the most concern though, but rather the manner in which it happened.
Bradley Beal - back after half a month missed with a hamstring tweak - played just 20 minutes before being ejected from the game. Even worse again, both Devin Booker and Royce O'Neale rolled each other's ankles in a coming together, although O'Neale was able to continue on and was a key contributor throughout.
It is unclear how badly Booker has sprained his ankle, although his initial reaction and rush to get to the locker room did not look great.
Booker missing any meaningful amount of time at this stage of the regular season would be a disaster, with two games against Western powerhouses in the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets on the horizon.
Does this generation of #Suns fans support the team as much as previous iterations? pic.twitter.com/NJkk5NBOBk
— ThePhoenixSuns.Com (Not The NBA Team) (@ThePhoenixSuns2) March 3, 2024
Yet the organization could fill out their remaining roster spot - and get some much needed cover for Booker if he's going to miss some time - by going out and getting point guard Shake Milton. The early indication is that Milton is going to sign with the New York Knicks once he clears waivers, but they already have Jalen Brunson and Alec Burks in their rotation.
The Suns could get involved here and offer Milton some immediate run while not rushing Beal back, with a chance to make up their playoff rotation when the time comes. As nice a story as Saben Lee has been recently, he is not going to be the difference-maker the franchise needs once they get into the deep waters of a playoff series.
Would not be surprised if the Suns have interest. Good point guard who could provide depth if Suns pursued. https://t.co/xY6sbcISLq
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) March 2, 2024
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix certainly thinks the Suns should be in the mix, and it makes sense for everybody involved. Imagine Milton running the second unit when the time comes as well, alongside Beal while Booker and Durant get some rest. He would also provide a steady hand and offensive spark next to bigs like Jusuf Nurkic as well.
Next. 5 Advantages Suns have over every other West team. 5 Advantages Suns have over every other West team. dark
It is unclear if the Suns have enough to sway Milton from going to New York - but in the wake of Booker rolling his ankle - this is the guy they need to go out and get. He has experience playing with Joel Embiid after five seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers in the past, and is still only 27-years-old. Head coach Frank Vogel could do with his experience as well. A move that just makes sense.