As you might have heard or noticed, the Phoenix Suns have a glut of big men. After shipping disgruntled point guard Eric Bledsoe to the Milwaukee Bucks early this month for Greg Monroe and a future pick, Suns head coach Jay Triano has since been left with a daily conundrum of how to manage the playing time of their bigs.
With Monroe in tow, Triano now has three active centers along with Tyson Chandler and Alex Len. The Suns also have Alan Williams who's recovering from an injury.
It’s unlikely that the Suns are going to keep all three slotmen for next season, especially since both Monroe and Len are bound for free agency next summer. Chandler’s current contract won’t expire until 2019, but that doesn’t guarantee his stay in the desert. For one, Scott Bordow of AZCentral.com believes that at least one of these centers will be dealt to make enough room on the roster for point guard Mike James.
McDonough reiterated to me today that Suns want to sign Mike James to standard NBA deal before his two-way contract expires Dec. 6. My guess how they'll do that: Create roster spot by dealing 1 of 3 centers
— scott bordow (@sbordow) November 20, 2017
As Bordow pointed out, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough is keen on offering James a full deal once the player’s two-way contract lapses this December.
James has seemingly impressed the Suns enough to warrant a regular contract with the team. In 18 games played so far this season, James has averaged 11.4 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.1 rebounds, serving mostly as the team’s starting point guard following Bledsoe’s departure.
While nothing is sure yet, it could be Monroe whom the Suns are likely putting on the trading block according to Bordow.
Monroe, because his expiring deal is more attractive to teams than Chandler, who has a year left after this season
— scott bordow (@sbordow) November 20, 2017
December 6 isn’t a long time from now, so a decision could be made by the Suns anytime soon. Stay tuned.
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