Suns must avoid temptation to add newly available former second pick

The Phoenix Suns are off to a 1-3 start, coming back from a three game road trip in which they failed to manage a single victory. One of the most glaring weaknesses in their game right now is on the defensive end, with only the Brooklyn Nets allowing more points to be scored on them each night. Not how head coach Jordan Ott wanted to begin his tenure.

Despite this obvious fault in the roster right now, center Mark Williams has done his part to ensure that when he is on the court - if nothing else - the Suns grabbed as many rebounds as possible. Which is partly why they sit around league average in that department (43.5), although Williams hasn't gotten much help with Royce O'Neale (6.5) the next closed player to him.

Suns should avoid James Wiseman no matter what.

Although the Suns appear to be pretty set at the center spot behind Williams, the reality is very different. The 23-year-old doesn't look like he'll feature in back-to-backs anytime soon, while current starter Oso Ighodaro isn't even a true big man. Backup Nick Richards is only getting spot minutes for a reason, while rookie Khaman Maluach has barely featured.

Yet despite all of this - and with a roster spot currently open to them - the Suns need to avoid James Wiseman at all costs. The former second overall pick was recently cut by the Indiana Pacers, and it is unclear if he'll get another chance in the league. If he does, it will be because some team is desperate for size in their front line, and will hope they can be the ones to get Wiseman engaged.

With the Suns struggling defensively and in a position where they can afford to take a chance on a guy like this - still only 24-years-old - you would think they'd be tempted to pick up the phone. They shouldn't be, as they had a guy in Deandre Ayton who also struggled with his motor, and who the Suns were ultimately better off without.

Although Wiseman would likely realize he would be getting his last chance and so could hit the ground running, this is not the kind of player you want to give to coach Ott. He needs guys who will buy into his defensive schemes the way that Dillon Brooks and even Williams have, even if the results haven't yet paid off.

Although Wiseman would likely realize he would be getting his last chance and so could hit the ground running, this is not the kind of player you want to give to coach Ott. He needs guys who will buy into his defensive schemes the way that Dillon Brooks and even Williams have, even if the results haven't yet paid off.