The Phoenix Suns now face a tough decision in light of the Eric Bledsoe trade to the Milwaukee Bucks, as the team will have to make a decision on starter Mike James before the Dec. 6 deadline to turn his two-way contract into a full-fledged NBA contract, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks. The team will need to open up a spot to make a successful conversion, given that there's still 15 guaranteed contracts on the roster.
James has filled in admirably in the absence of Bledsoe, averaging 11.8 points and 4.6 assists per game since getting the starting nod from new coach Jay Triano, who has posted a 4-4 record since the Suns started losing the first three games of the season.
An undrafted point guard out of Lamar University, James played for the Northern Arizona Suns of the G League. Despite this being his rookie season in the league, the 27-year-old has had his fair share of experience professionally, playing in Croatia, Greece, and Spain before joining the G League in 2015.
James has gotten the majority minutes at point guard, even over Tyler Ulis, who had shown plenty of promise at the end of last season, when former coach Earl Watson chose to sit out his starters in favor of the team's young players.
Phoenix now has less than a month to turn his two-way contract into a guaranteed NBA deal, or choose to explore options in the free agent market — as Brandon Knight; the only remaining floor general in the roster aside from Ulis, is out for the season.
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