The Phoenix Suns are a team in flux with an eye towards the future. Their main core is highlighted by Devin Booker and rookie Josh Jackson. Those two are expected to see a majority of the team’s minutes at their respective positions during games, to go alongside Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss. To go full in on the rebuild, the team has reportedly dangled Brandon Knight and Eric Bledsoe in multiple trades.
According to a source, the team isn’t opposed to trading Bledsoe and has interest in acquiring a first-round pick for the seventh-year veteran. The team, per a source, wants Bledsoe or Knight gone, if not both. According to that source, the Suns aren’t fond of Bledsoe’s injury history or Knight’s style of play. It was made evident that the team is determined to part ways with the two guards after they selected Tyler Ulis in the second round of last summer’s draft and then signed guard Mike James to a two-way contract on July 3.
James has impressed for the Suns out in Las Vegas at Summer League, averaging 19.6 points, 5.2 assists, 5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in five showcase games. James is on a two-way contract, but given his impressive showing and the fact that the Suns are looking to part ways with their veteran guards, James could see more time with the main roster than with their G League team. Head coach Earl Watson could have a point guard depth chart of Ulis and James, both undersized at the position in today’s NBA.
If James isn’t with the Suns’ G League team this season, expect Askia Booker to suit up for the Northern Arizona Suns. According to a source, Booker is “likely” to return to the G League with the Suns, after he averaged 15.5 points, 5.3 assists and 4 rebounds for the team last season. Askia, per a source, played through a sports hernia last season. He’s expected to make a full recovery by the end of the month.
In other G League news, Quincy Ford, who played for the Atlanta Hawks Vegas Summer League team, is weighing his options overseas and isn’t opposed to a G League return, per a source.
