Unexpected Turnabout: Rising Suns’ Summer Target Is a Fringe Contender
The Phoenix Suns have pursued Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell in the past and could do so again. per NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Goodness knows the Suns could use a point guard — something that was on full display during their first-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. While they boasted the likes of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, they didn’t really have a setup man.
McConnell is one of the best setup guys in the business and is extension-eligible this summer.
“He has one year remaining beyond this season on his current deal, an attractive salary as league executives view McConnell as one of the best reserves in the league,” Fischer wrote. “His value contract, in addition to his endless battery, most notably drew trade inquiries from the Phoenix Suns throughout this past season, league sources told Yahoo Sports.”
Phoenix, by the way, recently hired offensive-minded coach Mike Budenholzer to replace Frank Vogel, fired after just one season with the team.
As for McConnell, he has a fan in Suns legend Steve Nash to boot.
“What [McConnell’s] saying is, ‘Sometimes I can out-finesse you, out-think you, sometimes I don’t need to challenge you with my athleticism because I may not win that battle,’” Nash said, via Fischer. “‘But I can keep my dribble alive and put pressure on the defense because they’re chasing and trying to recover. As my guy’s trying to get back to me, someone might take me until he can get back, and that’s a difficult part of the court to do that in.’”
McConnell and the Pacers trailed their NBA playoff series against the Boston Celtics by a 3-0 count entering Monday night.
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