The Phoenix Suns have agreed in principle to trade for Oklahoma City Thunder All Star point guard Chris Paul. In exchange for Paul, the Suns will send Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a 2022 first round draft pick.
The trade is particularly meaningful for former West Virginia Mountaineer and current Phoenix Suns’ free agent Jevon Carter. Carter, who averaged 4.9 points, 1.4 assists and 2.0 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per game last season in a reserve role for the Suns, was seen as an expendable player for the Suns with so much depth at the point guard position, but he really showed what he’s capable of at the end of last season in the Orlando Bubble.
Carter proved that he’s not only a defensive stopper and energy guy off the bench, he also stepped up offensively and became a very consistent outside shooter for the Suns. Carter shot a 42.5% from three point range and 85.2% from the foul line.
Today, the Suns traded almost all of their depth at the point guard position by dealing guards Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome and Jalen Lecque, leaving Jevon Carter as the obvious backup to Chris Paul.
Backing up Chris Paul is an ideal situation for Jevon Carter at this stage in his career. Not only can he learn a lot from the veteran Paul, Carter will also get plenty of playing time off the bench in relief of the aging Chris Paul.
This trade not only felt like a move to add one of the best point guards in the world in Chris Paul, it was also a commitment to Jevon Carter as a role player off the bench for the Suns. While it appeared that Carter might be the odd man out with so much depth at his position on the Suns, it now appears likely that he will re-sign with the Suns and backup one of the best point guards in the NBA now.
