Saturday Slam: How big of a blow is Brandon Knight's ACL injury to the Phoenix Suns?

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Phoenix Suns point guard Brandon Knight suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during a pro-am game. Due to the nature of the injury, it is anticipated that Knight will miss the 2017-18 season after undergoing surgery.

On the surface, this appears to be a pretty significant blow to the Suns. Knight's name has been frequently mentioned as one of the rising stars in the league. He averaged 19.6 points and 5.1 assists per game for the Suns in the 2015-16 season and was billed as a cornerstone piece of the franchise when he was acquired from the Milwaukee Bucks.

                                          (Yahoo! Sports) 

After having what appeared to be a breakout season in his 2015-16 campaign, Knight has since struggled to replicate that same type of success, largely due to injury. Last season, he played in only 54 games and averaged 11.0 points and 2.4 assists per game. He only saw 21.1 minutes of action per game and never was able to get into a rhythm. Now that Knight has suffered a torn ACL on top of the struggles he had last season, it's fair to question whether or not he'll ever return to his former self.

As far as what this means for the Suns, this is a significant blow in the sense that they acquired Knight with the hopes of becoming one of their franchise players and he is clearly not living up to the hype. What also is unfortunate for them is that Knight is scheduled to make $13.6M in the 2017-18 season, $14.6M in the 2018-19 season, and $15.6M in the 2019-20 season before hitting unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2020. It'll be hard for them to move a guy whose contract requires teams to pay him more with each season.

On the flip side, it's not like the Suns are holding their breath on Knight being their franchise player for the future. Guards Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe, both of whom scored over 20 points per game last season, are viewed as the franchise centerpieces for the future along with rookie small forward Josh Jackson. The Suns can continue to build around those guys and focus their attention on getting them the pieces that they need to succeed.

Ultimately, the loss of Brandon Knight is significant for the Suns because they've invested a lot of money into him and have him under contract for the next three seasons. When you acquire a guy with the hopes of him being a franchise centerpiece and he doesn't deliver, that always stings. The good new for the Suns is that they have Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe to build around in the backcourt instead. They're already used to playing without Knight and appear to already be preparing for the future with him not in the picture. What would soften the blow even more is if the Suns could find a team willing to roll the dice on him, but at this point, the odds of that happening appear to be pretty low.

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Fadeaway Friday: Northern Arizona Suns are off to a sizzling start in their new location

     Starting this season, the Phoenix Suns have their own D-League affiliate located in Prescott Valley, Arizona called the Northern Arizona Suns (formerly Bakersfield Jam).  Despite having a totally new coaching staff and a new location, the Northern Arizona Suns are off to a fantastic 6-1 start, which is good enough for 1st in the Western Conference.
   
     The Suns are led by former Colorado guard Askia Booker (22.4 points per game) and guard Elijah Millsap (20.7 points per game), who is best known as Paul Millsap's younger brother.  The Northern Arizona Suns have really been playing some good basketball, holding opponents to just 91.0 points per game, which is second best in the NBA Development League. A big reason for the Suns' defensive success is they are holding opponents to just 41.1% shooting from the field and 28.0% shooting from 3-point range while also controlling the glass 44.7-41.0 on average. They are doing a really good job defending the perimeter and limiting second chance points.

     The fact that they are doing so well so quickly is really impressive and says a lot about the players they have on their team and their ability to buy into what the new coaching staff is telling them. Usually, it takes teams a little while to get rolling when they are brand new, so what the Northern Arizona Suns are doing is really impressive.

      As far as NBA talent is concerned, Elijah Millsap has been in and out of the NBA while Askia Booker has only had NBA Summer League stints. However, with trade rumors surrounding Suns point guard Brandon Knight, it's possible that the Phoenix Suns will call up Askia Booker and give him a shot should they deal Knight for some other pieces. In addition to his 22.4 points per game, Askia Booker is averaging 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and only 1.6 turnovers. Booker's 3.375 assist-to-turnover ratio is really impressive and really speaks to his potential as an NBA point guard.

     Going forward, look for the Northern Arizona Suns to continue to do well in the NBA Development League due to their team defense, rebounding, and overall efficiency. As far as Askia Booker is concerned, don't be surprised to see the Phoenix Suns call him up in the near future. Especially if they deal Brandon Knight for someone that isn't a point guard. Part of the reason for the Brandon Knight trade rumors could be a function of Askia Booker's success in Prescott Valley and his potential to provide quality off the bench point guard production for a fraction of what they are paying Brandon Knight. The NBA is all about doing what makes the most economic sense in order to help your team win. Trading Brandon Knight and giving Askia Booker a shot to shine could be a very beneficial move for the Phoenix Suns.


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Daily Dunks: 6/22-6/28

                                                   (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for image). 

Here is my Daily Dunks page for June 22, 2015 through June 28, 2015. Throughout the week, this page will be updated with all the latest news, scores, and rumors from the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Nets have extended a qualifying offer to Mirza Teletovic, making him a restricted free agent (Click here for details).

#2. Thaddeus Young is opting out of his contract with the Nets (Click here for details).

#3. Jameer Nelson will out out of his contract with the Nuggets (Click here for details).

#4. Dwight Howard is leaving adidas to sign with the Chinese brand Peak (Click here for details).

#5. Contrary to other reports, the Heat won't have a meeting with Dwayne Wade this week (Click here for details).

#6. The Pistons are interested in Knicks swingman Tim Hardaway, Jr. (Click here for details).

#7. Raymond Felton exercised his contract option to remain with the Mavericks (Click here for details).

#8. Paul Pierce is opting out of his contract with the Wizards. The  Clippers are a possible destination for him (Click here for details).

#9. The city of Charlotte will host the 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend (Click here for details).

#10. The Lakers want to trade for Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (Click here for details).

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Nuggets extended a $1.2M qualifying offer to guard Will Barton, making him a restricted free agent (Click here for details).

#2. The Kings' front office insists DeMarcus Cousins is going nowhere (Click here for details).

#3. Goran Dragic opted out of his contract with the Heat (Click here to see them).

#4. George Karl wants the Kings to trade DeMarcus Cousins according to reports. Specifically for Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried of the Nuggets (Click here for details). Keep in mind that the Kings' front office says Cousins is going nowhere.

#5. The Cavaliers picked up Timofey Mozgov's option (Click here for details).

#6. The Kings and Rajon Rondo have mutual interest in each other. The Kings are said to be shopping Rudy Gay to make a deal happen (Click here for details).

#7. The Bucks are shopping Michael Carter-Williams and John Henson to trade up in the draft (Click here for details).

#8. The Nets are trying to unload Mason Plumlee (Click here for details).

#9. The Suns have offered point guard Eric Bledsoe to the Knicks for the #4 overall pick (Click here for details).

#10. Andrei Kirilenko has officially retired (Click here for details).

Tuesday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Mystics 84 Sparks 80: Final. Mystics forward Tiffany Ruffin-PRatt had 20 points and 5 rebounds.

Wednesday's Daily Dunks: 

#1. Kevin Love is opting out of his contract with the Cavaliers. LeBron James reportedly won't recruit him back (Click here for details).

#2. The Hawks unveiled new uniforms (Click here to see them).

#3. The Grizzlies traded the rights to small forward Janis Timma to the Magic for point guard Luke Ridnour (Click here for details).

#4. The Raptors are getting their own D-League team which will play in Mississauga, Ontario (Click here for details).

#5. Ed Davis opted out of his $1.1M deal with the Lakers. He will be a free agent (Click here for details).

#6. David West is opting out of his contract with the Pacers (Click here for details).

#7. Monta Ellis has opted out of his contract with the Mavericks and will become a free agent (Click here for details).

#8. J.R. Smith has opted out of his contract with the Cavaliers, but it looks like he'll stay with the team (Click here for details).

#9. The Rockets picked up small forward Kostas Papanikolaou's $4.8M option (Click here for details).

#10. The Trail Blazers traded Nicolas Batum to the Hornets for Gerald Henderson and Noah Vonleh (Click here for details). The Hornets also traded Matt Barnes to the Thunder for Jeremy Lamb (Click here for details).

#11. Note: The NBA Draft is Thursday at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN.

Wednesday's WNBA Final Scores: 
Sky 100 Dream 96: Final/OT. Sky forward Elena Delle Donne had a career-high 45 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The NBA Draft is over (Click here to view the picks and trades from the draft).

#2. The Trail Blazers traded Arizona forward Ronade Hollis-Jefferson and guard Steve Blake to the Nets for forward Mason Plumlee and Notre Dame shooting guard Pat Connaughton (Click here for details).

#3. The Knicks traded Tim Hardaway, Jr. to the Hawks (Click here for details).

#4. The Raptors traded Greivis Vasquez to the Bucks (Click here for details).

#5. Report: LaMarcus Aldridge has told the Trail Blazers he won't re-sign with them (Click here for details).

#6. The Trail Blazers plan to pay Damian Lillard whatever he wants (Click here for details).

#7. Luke Ridnour is going to the Thunder, Matt Barnes is going to the Grizzlies, and Jeremy Lamb is going to the Hornets (Click here for details).

#8. Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson believes he is on his way to the Kings (Click here for details).

#9. After opting out of his contract wit the Pacers, David West could be heading to the Knicks (Click here for details).

#10. Roy Hibbert has exercised his $15.5M option to stay with the Pacers for next season. They might trade him before the trade deadline (Click here for details).

Thursday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Stars 76 Mercury 71. Lynx 76 Storm 73.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Pistons are guaranteeing Anthony Tolliver's $3M contract for next season (Click here for details).

#2. LeBron James will opt out of his contract with the Cavaliers, but he's expected to stay with the team (Click here for details).

#3. Carmelo Anthony is unhappy that the Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis (Click here for details). However, Carmelo has denied these reports. He says he is happy with the pick (Click here for his comments).

#4. Serbian forward Nemanja Bjelica, Euroleague MVP, is expected to join the Timberwolves for next season (Click here for details).

#5. 76ers GM Sam Hinke expects Dario Saric to join the team in the summer of 2016 (Click here for details).

#6. The Spurs rejected trade offers for Tiago Splitter (Click here for details).

#7. The Spurs reportedly are operating under the assumption that Tim Duncan comes back next season (Click here for details).

#8. Knicks president Phil Jackson says a scout called Kristaps Porzingis a "once in a lifetime player" to draft (Click here for details).

#9. Restricted free agent forward Tobias Harris wants max money and the Magic aren't likely to match (Click here for details).

#10. Cavaliers GM David Griffin says LeBron James is conferring with him daily about the team's roster (Click here for details).

Friday's WNBA Scores: 

Sun 80 Sparks 76. Sky 83 Fever 77. Dream 72 Mystics 69. Shock 71 Liberty 62.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The 76ers are demanding money from the Lakers for misinforming them about Andrew Bynum (Click here for details).

#2. Former Villanova power forward Jason Fraser is joining the Suns as a player development coach (Click here for details).

#3. Former Trail Blazers point guard Sergio Rodriguez is contemplating an NBA comeback (Click here for details).

#4. Kings owner Vivek Ranadive reportedly gave DeMarcus Cousins' agent permission to seek a trade (Click here for details).

#5. Greg Monroe has free agent meetings set up with a few teams. None of those teams are the Pistons (Click here for details).

#6. Cavaliers GM David Griffin is open to re-signing J.R. Smith (Click here for details).

#7. Magic rookie Mario Hezonja's contract with FC Barcelona will be bought out by Monday (Click here for details).

#8. The Celtics extended a qualifying offer to Jae Crowder, making him a restricted free agent (Click here for details).

#9. The Suns will keep Jon Leuer and pay him $1M for next season (Click here for details).

#10. Report: The Warriors will likely pick up Marreese Speights' $3.8M option (Click here for details).

Saturday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Lynx 71 Mercury 56. Stars 73 Storm 71.

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Suns are expected to go after Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge (Click here for details).

#2. Brandon Knight reportedly will re-sign with the Suns for 5 years, $70M (Click here for details).

#3. Marc Stein reports that if point guard Brandon Knight re-signs with the Suns long-term, odds are good that the team will shop point guard Eric Bledsoe (Click here for details).

#4. The Mavericks are reportedly the most likely team to lure DeAndre Jordan away from the Clippers (Click here for details).

#5. Manu Ginobili will announce his decision on his future in an Argentine newspaper (Click here for details).

#6. Kevin Garnett will "definitely re-sign" with the Timberwolves according to TwinCities.com. TwinCities.com also adds that Flip Saunders will remain as the team's head coach (Click here for details).

#7. The Heat will not pick up Michael Beasley's $1.3M option for next season (Click here for details).

#8. Marc Gasol reportedly has no interest in joining the Lakers in free agency (Click here for details).

#9. The 76ers have been fined $3M by the NBA for not disclosing Jrue Holiday's leg fracture to the Pelicans when they traded him (Click here for details).
7
#10. The Magic have declined to pick up Ben Gordon's $4.5M option for next season (Click here for details).


Sunday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Liberty 79 Sparks 70. Mystics 86 Sky 71. Shock 93 Storm 89.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord and like my Facebook  page NBA Lord Nation to keep on top of the NBA