TUESDAY, 11:19am: The deal is official, the team announced.
MONDAY, 5:34pm: The Suns will sign Phil Pressey to a second 10-day contract, reports Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic. The point guard’s first 10-day deal will expire after tonight. Another deal for Pressey would still leave an open roster spot, with the team linked to Anthony Bennett, who’s headed for a buyout with the Raptors. Coro indicates Pressey’s signing will take place Tuesday, which would put him in line to play six games, against the Hornets, Heat, Magic, Grizzlies, Knicks and Nuggets, before the deal expires. He’ll make $55,722.
The 25-year-old Pressey has seen no shortage of playing time for the injury-depleted Suns, averaging 5.0 points, 6.0 assists and 3.3 turnovers in 22.0 minutes per game across four appearances. That’s nearly twice as much time on the court than the 12.1 minutes per game he saw during his month-long stint with the Sixers earlier this season. Phoenix is the fifth NBA team Pressey’s been on in the past 12 months, as he’s also gone through the hands of the Celtics, Trail Blazers and Jazz.
The third-year veteran impressed in his two seasons with the Celtics, and Boston president of basketball operations Danny Ainge made it clear that cutting him was a difficult move. Suns GM Ryan McDonough worked under Ainge for several years with the C’s, so it’s no surprise to see Pressey in Phoenix, at least for the time being. The Suns and the Aaron Mintz client will face a reckoning point at the conclusion of his latest 10-day deal, since Phoenix would either have to ink him for at least the rest of the season or let him walk.
Me Missourian him Missourian