Phoenix Suns Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Pacific Notes: Ariza, James, Cauley-Stein, Ingram

December 6th, 2018 at 7:38pm CST by JD Shaw

Suns forward Trevor Ariza is viewed by teams as a player who will become available before the NBA’s Feb. 8 trading deadline, Marc Stein of the New York Times reported this week. However, Ariza rejected the idea upon hearing the rumors and explained his desire to stay in Phoenix, despite his team holding just a 4-20 record as of Thursday.

“I’m not one to get somewhere and then just duck out,” Ariza told Gina Mizell of The Athletic. “I’m one to be in it, regardless of whatever the situation is. Fight until the end. That’s the type of person that I am, and that’s what I expect.”

Of course, the Suns could always choose to move Ariza against his wishes if the right deal comes. He signed a one-year, $15MM deal to join the young team in free agency, entering a vastly different situation than what he had in Houston during the 2017/18 season.

“It gives you a different perspective,” Ariza told Mizell. “Although I love to win, sometimes you have to be the person that’s able to take these punches and be able to still get up. (I have to) teach the next generation, teach the younger players how to prepare, how to become better pros.

“Right now, that’s the situation that I’m in, so I’m not worried about it. I’m not crying about it. I’m very thankful for my position. The only thing I can do is hope that we get better every day.”

There’s more out of the Pacific Division tonight:

LeBron James tuned out the noise surrounding him against the Spurs on Wednesday, scoring 20 fourth-quarter points to propel the Lakers to victory. “I’m past the [taking things] personal stage,” James said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I can do whatever. I can have a huge workload, I can have a not so huge workload. … It doesn’t matter for me. What’s most important is seeing my teammates make huge shots in the fourth quarter. … That’s what’s most important to me. I can care less about the narrative about me. It doesn’t matter. I’m a staple in this game.”
Willie Cauley-Stein is proving his worth with the Kings this season, gunning for a bigger contract in free agency next summer, James Ham of NBC Sports writes. Cauley-Stein is averaging a career-high 14.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, shooting 54% from the floor in 23 contests.
Lakers forward Brandon Ingram will miss at least two games after spraining his left ankle on Wednesday, according to McMenamin (Twitter link). Ingram didn’t travel with the team and is set to undergo a precautionary MRI Thursday evening. His status will be updated Friday morning.

Suns Considered Trading Up For SGA Instead Of Bridges

December 5th, 2018 at 2:07pm CST by Luke Adams

Within an in-depth look at the Suns‘ point guard options, Bob Young of The Athletic reports that the team nearly traded up in the 2018 draft using the extra first-round pick it owns from the Bucks, and would’ve selected Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in that scenario. However, owner Robert Sarver pushed instead for the deal that saw the Suns give up Miami’s 2021 first-rounder for Mikal Bridges, according to Young.

Teams Expect Suns To Make Trevor Ariza Available

December 4th, 2018 at 11:10am CST by Luke Adams

Having signed a new contract as a free agent over the summer, Trevor Ariza won’t become trade-eligible until December 15. However, rival clubs expect the Suns to make him available after that date, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link).

As Stein outlines (via Twitter), teams with interest in Ariza have been hoping that the Suns will take the same route with the veteran forward that they did with Tyson Chandler, simply buying him out and letting him reach free agency. However, Phoenix is expected to field trade inquiries on Ariza in an effort to secure at least one asset in return.

Ariza, who is on a one-year, $15MM contract with the Suns, isn’t off to a particularly hot start this season, shooting a career-worst 37.2% from the field through 21 games. However, he continues to play solid defense and knock down three-pointers at a respectable rate (35.7%), which will make him appealing to contending teams in need of wing help. His expiring contract should also be favorable to franchises looking to open up cap room during the summer of 2019.

As Stein observes (via Twitter), it will be interesting to see if the Suns are willing to take on unwanted multiyear salary in order to accommodate an Ariza trade. Doing so would compromise Phoenix’s 2019 cap flexibility, but would likely improve the quality of the assets trade partners are willing to offer. For instance, if the Suns and Pelicans were to discuss an Ariza deal, Phoenix would almost certainly have to take on Solomon Hill‘s contract in order to have a shot at acquiring a first-round pick from New Orleans.

It’s also worth noting that the Suns have been linked to Markelle Fultz, which has resulted in some speculation about a swap centered around Fultz and Ariza. The Sixers could use a veteran wing like Ariza, while Phoenix has been in the market for point guard help.

There will likely be no shortage of teams around the NBA that would like to add a player like Ariza to their rotation though, so the Suns should field plenty of interest once the 33-year-old becomes eligible to be traded later this month.

Suns Continue Search For Short-Term PG Solution

December 4th, 2018 at 8:33am CST by Luke Adams

The Suns remain in the market for a short-term solution at their point guard position, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reports (via Twitter) that the team has been eyeing potential trade targets, free agents, and candidates for call-ups from the G League.

Darius Morris is among the players to receive interest from the Suns, with Wojnarowski reporting that the former Lakers point guard visited Phoenix early this week. Morris, who appeared in 132 total games for the Lakers, Sixers, Clippers, Grizzlies, and Nets from 2011-15, hasn’t appeared in an NBA regular season game in more than three years, though he was in camp with the Pelicans in the fall.

Morris is currently playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G League affiliate, where he has put up 19.5 PPG and 6.7 APG with a .412/.355/.683 shooting line in 11 games so far this season.

The Suns have tried a handful of different players at the point in 2018/19. Isaiah Canaan earned most of the minutes there in the early going before being waived last Wednesday. Rookies Elie Okobo and De’Anthony Melton have each seen some action at the point, but may not be ready for major roles yet. Recently, Phoenix handed the play-making reins to Devin Booker, but a hamstring injury is currently keeping the team’s star guard on the shelf.

After releasing Canaan, the Suns have two open spots on their 15-man roster and have until next Wednesday to fill at least one of them, as we explained yesterday. It remains unclear which player will become the club’s 14th man, but it seems safe to assume it’ll probably be a point guard.

Booker To Take Cautious Approach

December 3rd, 2018 at 9:25pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Suns star guard Devin Booker will take a cautious approach after re-aggravating a hamstring injury against the Lakers on Sunday, Gina Mizell of The Athletic tweets. There’s no timetable for Booker’s return, Mizell adds. Booker, who missed the team’s previous game against Orlando, departed after 17 minutes. He is averaging 23.5 PPG and 6.7 APG. Booker has been starting at the point and rookie Elie Okobo could pick up some of Booker’s minutes.

Suns Roster Move Required By Next Week

December 3rd, 2018 at 10:23am CST by Luke Adams

No NBA team is currently carrying fewer players than the Suns, who have just 14 total players on their roster — 13 on standard deals and one on a two-way contract. While Phoenix isn’t obligated to fill that second two-way contract slot anytime soon, it’s just a matter of time until the team will have to sign a 14th man on a standard deal.

NBA rules allow teams to slip below 14 players on standard contracts for up to two weeks at a time. Since the Suns officially waived Isaiah Canaan last Wednesday, that means the team will have until next Wednesday, December 12, to get back up to 14 players on its 15-man roster.

The most likely outcome will see the Suns add a player on a non-guaranteed contract next week, fulfilling the league’s roster requirements without necessarily giving any assurances or making a longer-term commitment to that 14th man. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on Phoenix to see if the club uses its roster flexibility to make a trade.

The Suns have been in the market for another point guard for months, and have been linked to both Frank Ntilikina and Markelle Fultz since Canaan’s release. There’s no indication that anything is imminent, and if any deals happen, they’re more likely to go down after December 15, when dozens of players around the NBA become trade-eligible.

Nonetheless, the club is a strong candidate to make a move or two at some point this season — with its place at the bottom of the Western Conference all but assured, it makes sense for the Suns to be a seller and keep compiling assets for the future.

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Phoenix Suns

Suns Notes: Holmes, Melton, Okobo, Canaan

November 30th, 2018 at 9:51pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Richaun Holmes has settled in as the Suns’ backup center since Tyson Chandler‘s contract was bought out, as Katherine Fitzgerald of the Arizona Republic notes. Holmes has averaged 7.4 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 1.4 BPG in 15.9 MPG during the month of November. Coach Igor Kokoskov cites Holmes’ biggest asset as something that goes beyond box scores. “Energy is a talent, we always say, and that’s his job,” Kokoskov said. “He helps his team, and for him to understand his role, and just embrace it, is a huge thing for our team.” Holmes, who was acquired from the Sixers during the summer, has a $1.6MM contract that doesn’t become fully guaranteed until January 10th. He’l be an unrestricted free agent in July.

We have more on the Suns:

Rookie point guards and second-round picks De’Anthony Melton and Elie Okobo have been bouncing back and forth between the NBA and G League and it’s proving beneficial, as Bob Young of The Athletic details. The duo has gained experience by playing and practicing at both levels. Melton has appeared in four games with the Suns and five with Northern Arizona. Okobo has seen action in 12 NBA and two G League games. “I think it’s helping me a lot,” Melton told Young. “I trained for it all summer, to be a point guard. I don’t think it matters to me. I’m fine getting off the ball. Down in the G League, I got to handle the ball a lot and really run a team and show what I can do.”
Kokoskov expects point guard Isaiah Canaan to quickly find another NBA job, Gina Mizell of The Athletic writes. The team waived Canaan on Wednesday after he lost his starting job. “It’s just a pure business decision,” Kokoskov said. “I wish him nothing but the best, and he’ll be good. I know a lot of teams (will have) interest in him.” The Suns have two open roster spots, which will facilitate a potential trade for a more accomplished floor leader. Devin Booker has been moved from shooting guard to the point for at least the short run.
The Suns are one of the teams interested in acquiring second-year point guard Frank Ntilikina from the Knicks. Get all the details here.

Suns, Grizzlies Among Teams To Inquire On Ntilikina

November 30th, 2018 at 10:30am CST by Luke Adams

10:30am: The Grizzlies have also inquired on Ntilikina, according to Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News (Twitter link).

The Grizzlies, of course, have Mike Conley at the point, so they’d likely envision Ntilikina in a different role than a team like the Suns or Magic would.

9:40am: The Suns are among the teams to have reached out to the Knicks to express interest in second-year guard Frank Ntilikina, reports Ian Begley of ESPN.com (via Twitter). We heard earlier this week that the Magic have also shown some interest in Ntilikina.

According to Begley, when the Suns inquired on Ntilikina earlier in the year, the Knicks said they weren’t open to moving the 20-year-old. It’s not clear if the club has wavered on that stance at all a month and a half into the regular season, with Ntilikina playing a somewhat reduced role as of late — he has averaged just 14.1 minutes per game in New York’s last four contests, compared to 25.0 MPG in the club’s first 19 games.

Like Orlando, Phoenix has a handful promising core building blocks on its roster, but hasn’t settled on a long-term answer at point guard. It’s not clear if Ntilikina, who has struggled as an offensive player since being drafted eighth overall in 2017, could be that answer.

However, according to Begley, some members of the Suns’ organization are intrigued by the idea of pairing Ntilikina and Devin Booker in their backcourt. It would be an interesting combination, given Booker’s elite scoring ability and Ntilikina’s defensive prowess.

Still, as I noted when we discussed the Magic’s interest on Thursday, there are no indications at this point that Ntilikina is on the trade block in New York, though it’s possible that will change by February’s deadline. Fellow point guards Trey Burke and Emmanuel Mudiay will be free agents in 2019, so the Knicks will have to make some decisions this season on which of those three players – if any – they intend to prioritize over the long term.

NBA G League Assignments/Recalls: 11/29/18

November 29th, 2018 at 9:25pm CST by JD Shaw

Here are Thursday’s G League assignments and recalls from across the NBA:

The Pistons assigned guard Luke Kennard to the Grand Rapids Drive as he continues his rehab from a shoulder injury, announcing the news in an email. Kennard will play with the Drive in the team’s game on Friday.
The Grizzlies recalled then later assigned Jevon Carter to the Memphis Hustle, according to a tweet from the team. The move was made so Carter could practice with the Grizzlies Thursday morning.
The Suns have recalled guard De’Anthony Melton from Northern Arizona, the team announced. Melton is averaging 17 points, 6.6 assists and seven rebounds in five G League games this season.
The Timberwolves have assigned Keita Bates-Diop to the Iowa Wolves, the team’s G League affiliate, announcing the news on Twitter. Bates-Diop has seen action in two games with the Timberwolves this season.
The Celtics assigned guard Brad Wanamaker to their G League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws, according to a tweet from the team. Wanamaker has scored 16 points in five games with Boston on the season.
The Knicks recalled Luke Kornet from the Westchester Knicks, the team announced. Kornet has played in four games with the Knicks.

Suns Among Teams With Interest In Fultz

November 29th, 2018 at 10:48am CST by Luke Adams

The Suns are among the teams with some level of interest in Sixers point guard Markelle Fultz, a source tells Keith Pompey of Philly.com. The Cavaliers were also eyeing Fultz, though it’s not clear whether they remain interested now that they’ve agreed to trade Kyle Korver in another deal.

Although Fultz’s trade value has slipped precipitously in the last year and a half, teams would still be interested in acquiring him under the right circumstances, according to Pompey, who suggests that the 20-year-old’s camp would need to be truthful potential suitors. A team with interest in Fultz doesn’t want to be told that his shoulder and wrist are bothering him if his problems are actually mental, a source tells Pompey — in other words, clubs would simply want to know what they’d be getting into.

According to Pompey, the Suns had interest in Fultz leading up to the 2017 draft, with their analytics people believing that his upside was substantial. However, Phoenix also had concerns about the young guard’s support system, Pompey adds.

If the Suns and Sixers were to engage in discussions on Fultz, Philadelphia would likely target veteran forward Trevor Ariza, whose outside shooting and perimeter defense would make him an ideal fit in the 76ers’ lineup.

Ariza is on a one-year deal, so getting something in return for him could appeal to the Suns, who won’t be contenders this season and have been seeking a point guard for months. Ariza’s contract would also be favorable for the Sixers, who could significantly increase their projected cap room for 2019 by moving Fultz for a player on an expiring deal.

The salaries for Ariza ($15MM) and Fultz ($8.4MM) don’t quite match up, but adding – for instance – Justin Patton‘s expiring contract ($2.7MM) would make a deal legal.