The search for another backup shooting guard might be over for the Phoenix Suns. In a recent NBA trade, the Suns acquired Troy Daniels and a 2018 second-rounder from the Memphis Grizzlies. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies received a protected 2018 second-round pick.
Daniels will be one of Devin Booker's backups. Before Phoenix accomplished the trade, the team just had two legitimate shooting guards on the roster in Booker and Elijah Millsap. The Suns originally had three players at no. 2, but rookie Davon Reed is out for 4-6 months after a medical procedure to address a left knee injury.
Now with the Suns, Daniels has an opportunity to have a much bigger task than just to come off the bench, he could be the second-stringer at shooting guard. Millsap is his only competition for the role as of the moment. Daniels' edge over Millsap is his NBA experience and better numbers from the previous season. In 67 games played for Memphis during the 2016-17 season, the 26-year-old averaged 8.2 points and 1.5 rebounds per outing.
Former No. 1 pick heading to Phoenix
Aside from Daniels, there is another newcomer in Phoenix. According to reports, the Suns signed Anthony Bennett to a non-guaranteed contract. It means there is a possibility he would not be part of the final lineup for the 2017-18 NBA season.
Bennett entered the league in 2013 as the No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 24-year-old put up a lackluster outing in his rookie year. In 2014, he ended up with the Minnesota Timberwolves following a three-team trade. Bennett struggled with the Wolves as well.
Bennett's dismal showing in his first two years in the NBA did not stop the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets from giving him a try in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Phoenix is following the footsteps of Toronto and Brooklyn as it is the latest organization to grant Bennett a shot to redeem himself. Bennet is going to join Marquese Chriss, Dragan Bender, and Jared Dudley at power forward for the Suns.
Alan Williams sidelined
In other Suns news, the list of injured players continues to grow for Phoenix.
AZCentral.com reported that center Alan Williams is likely to miss some time due to a partially torn meniscus. The 24-year-old sustained the injury when he accidentally stepped on a teammate's foot while working out.
Williams played his second year for Phoenix last season. On the depth chart provided by ESPN, he is the second option for the Suns at center. The projected starter is the veteran Tyson Chandler.
