My how Brandon Knight’s value around the league has cratered.
The 25-year-old guard was acquired by the Suns in the infamous final 15 minutes of the 2015 NBA trade deadline, in exchange for a Lakers 1st round pick that could be top five this season and now the Suns can’t even trade Knight for a 2nd round pick.
Follow on the Brandon Knight front: I'm told the present-day asking price from the Suns is an expiring contract and a high second rounder
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) February 23, 2017
When the Suns acquired Knight he was a 23-year-old player averaging 17.8 points and 5.4 assists per game on 41 percent three-point shooting for an up and coming Bucks team.
Knight struggled with the Suns that season before they decided to re-sign him to a five-year, $70 million contract.
Knight faced injury issues yet again and had his starting shooting guard role usurped by then 19-year-old Devin Booker. This year he has struggled immensely in a sixth man role, posting career-lows across the board, forever killing the idea of him as a point guard outside of spot minutes with his turnover issues. He has the worst plus/minus rating in the NBA at the moment (playing for the NBA’s second worst team contributes to that of course).
Now a player who was essentially dealt for what may be a top five pick can’t even garner a 2nd round pick and an expiring contract.
Would you want to pay him $42 million over the next three years at this point?
There are two teams that could use his services and take a chance on Knight regaining that potential that made him the No. 8 pick of the 2011 NBA Draft and a guy who has averaged 19-5-3 last season: The Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic.
The Hornets are free falling because they only have one person on their roster currently who can create his own shot and get them a bucket when things break down – Kemba Walker. Knight’s ability to be an instant offense is exactly what they need. The Magic sorely need more shooting and a player who can spread the floor and create more spacing. Knight could be the perfect guy for that role.
Can we just do a Knight for Jeff Green and the Magic’s 2nd round pick in 2017 and call it a day?
