Credit: (USATSI)
Since his professional career began in 2011, Brandon Knight has invariably been an above average point guard in the NBA. He has averaged better than twelve points per game in all of his seven seasons (including 2016-17 with Phoenix) and has recorded a few magnificent performances—don’t forget a few memorable mishaps that appeared on Shaqtin’ A Fool—that people will never forget.
Heading into the 2016-17 season, Phoenix Suns management was once again concerned on how they would spread out minutes at the point guard position. Alongside Knight is the explosive Eric Bledsoe and 2016 No. 34 overall pick Tyler Ulis. Suns head coach Earl Watson announced prior to the start of the season that Knight has been assigned the sixth man role—a change that reportedly frustrated the 24-year-old guard.
Over Phoenix’s last three games, Brandon Knight has played less than nine minutes in each contest. 20-year-old Tyler Ulis has taken many of Knight’s minutes in each of those games.
According to sources of OpenCourt-Basketball.com, the Suns have made Knight available on the trade market and are currently engaged in trade talks with a few teams around the league. Of course, the Chicago Bulls are one, as they, too, are having point guard turmoil, with veteran guard Rajon Rondo. The Sacramento Kings—who tried acquiring Knight via trade this past summer—have also emerged as a team that has interest in bringing the former No. 8 overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft to Sac-Town. A delivery to Sacramento would reunite Knight with all-star center and former Kentucky teammate DeMarcus Cousins.
Brandon Knight is currently averaging 12.5 points, 2.7 assists and 2.6 rebounds in a career-low 22.6 minutes per game in 36 games for Phoenix this season. Knight is still just 24-years-old and has room to blossom in the correct situation. Whether or not they need a point guard, every NBA team should look over their options and attempt to acquire Knight before the Feb. 23 Trade Deadline.
