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11/22/2024 05:15:44 am

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NBA Trade Rumors: Suns Deny Brandon Knight Trade Talks

Phoenix Suns point guard Brandon Knight

(Photo : Getty Images) The Suns are not planning to trade Brandon Knight.

The Phoenix Suns have denied that Brandon Knight is on the team's trading block amidst a growing number of trade rumors mentioning the combo guard.

Knight, who will turn 25 this December, has been the subject of a lot of trade speculations since Suns head coach Earl Watson told the media that he will be demoted to the bench at the start of the new season.

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The decision was reportedly made because the club is giving way to sophomore shooting guard Devin Booker, who is being groomed as the future face of the franchise. Now, Knight is trying to thrive in his new off-the-bench role while former backcourt partner Eric Bledsoe remained as the starting point guard.

With three potential All-Star guards in Phoenix, rumors have emerged that one of them will be traded in midseason and Knight is said to be the odd-man out.

Also, there were reports that the Suns will not be able to afford someone who earns an average of $14 million a year to just be coming off the bench, thus fueling the fire of trade rumors involving Knight.

However, Suns general manager Ryan McDonough recently told reporters during a radio interview that the club is "not looking to move" Knight, although he understands that the 2012 NBA All-Rookie First Teamer desires to be a starter, via ESPN.

"We're certainly not looking to move Brandon, we haven't been close to trading Brandon," the GM said via Arizona Sports. "I think he'd love to be starting, we understand that. He's accepted the (sixth man) role very well. I think you guys will see him go on a run here."

Knight's averages have expectedly declined since becoming a substitute. He went from last season's career-high of 19.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 36.0 minutes per game down to 12.8 points, 2.8 boards, and 3.2 assists in 25.1 minutes of playing time a night this season.

"As you know, watching him play the last couple years, he has the ability to get hot and put up a lot of points in a hurry and take over stretches of games," McDonough said. "He hasn't done that yet for us consistently but I think it's coming."

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