The Phoenix Suns targeted Terry Rozier before the eventual signing of Jamal Crawford took place right before the 15-man roster deadline on Monday, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Former Suns general manager Ryan McDonough and then-assistant James Jones tried to scoop up the shifty Boston Celtics guard to make him their starting point guard, but he remains unlikely to be traded, despite not reaching agreement on a contract extension.
Terry Rozier dazzled with his play in the postseason after Kyrie Irving sat out the final games of the regular season and the playoffs after undergoing knee surgery. The Louisville standout got the chance to start for coach Brad Stevens while Marcus Smart recovered from his own injury, setting the stage for heavy minutes and impressive play from the 6-foot-2 guard.
The Suns have been heavily looking for a starting-caliber point guard ahead of the start of the regular season, unable to lure Tyus Jones away from the Minnesota Timberwolves after letting Elfrid Payton walk in free agency, waiving Tyler Ulis and trading Brandon Knight to the Houston Rockets. This left the team with a plethora of unproven point guards, including rookies Elie Okobo and the newly-acquired De'Anthony Melton along with spot-starter Isaiah Canaan.
Crawford is capable of playing the point guard position, doing so for an entire season with the Golden State Warriors before turning into a sixth man extraordinaire for the rest of his career.
Rozier, though, had expressed aspirations of becoming an NBA starter in the near future, but Irving's recent claims to stay with the Celtics long-term could prove a roadblock to that dream if Boston refuses to let him go.
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