Depth was an issue for the Phoenix Suns coming into the NBA season and it has certainly been tested. They have bit by the injury bug throughout the campaign as multiple key players have missed time.
Devin Booker has missed 12 games this season and that number will continue going up as he will miss a few more weeks because of a groin injury. Cam Johnson injured his meniscus after eight games and has yet to return to the court. Chris Paul has played in only 26 games thus far this season.
Head coach Monty Williams has had his work cut out for him, constantly needing to shuffle the lineup. At the midway point of the season, something has to give for the Suns soon.
When healthy, they are still one of the better teams in the NBA. But they could use an infusion of talent, especially on the wing and in the frontcourt where they are certainly missing Jae Crowder. Crowder remains away from the team awaiting a trade as he didn’t report to training camp, in agreement with the franchise.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jalen McDaniels, Charlotte Hornets & Phoenix Suns Updates
The Suns have been connected to forwards for months and now another name has emerged; Jalen McDaniels of the Charlotte Hornets. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium offered the update on The Rally.
McDaniels would be a huge upgrade on the wing for the Suns. He brings a lot of the same intangibles to the court as Crowder does as a two-way player with multi-positional versatility. He actually brings more size and length to the table than Crowder, as he is three inches taller and has a three-inch longer wingspan.
The Washington product is having a career year across the board, averaging 10.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals in 26.5 minutes per game. That kind of multifaceted game would be a great fit in Phoenix, as they thrive when playing small ball lineups and McDaniels has logged minutes this season in the frontcourt.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jalen McDaniels, Charlotte Hornets & Phoenix Suns Updates
Going nowhere fast and unlikely to spend big in free agency, the tanking Hornets are a good trade partner for the Suns. If they do not see McDaniels as a long-term piece, trading him for some assets instead of seeing him leave for nothing as an unrestricted free agent makes the most sense.
