Why former Wildcat TJ McConnell would be a good fit for the Phoenix Suns

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 31: T.J. McConnell
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 31: T.J. McConnell

Phoenix Suns FanSided site, Valley of the Suns, just published a post, The Phoenix Suns should consider trading for T.J. McConnell – what a great idea! This is why I agree.

From time to time, we gotta show some love to our FanSided community. This time I want to show some of that appreciation to the Valley of the Suns and site expert Dan Volpone. His post, The Phoenix Suns should consider trading for T.J. McConnell, is a must read. It’s great to see McConnell getting some love!

For those that have followed Zona Zealots, you know we are a huge fan of McConnell and so too are Wildcat fans. There are so many reasons why Arizona Wildcat fans love him. How can you not?! This man even went out on style his senior year at McKale Center, kissing the “A” in center court. He has carried on that passion for the game of basketball onto the next level.

What he has done for the city of Philadelphia and the 76ers have been next level. His experience, knowledge and court awareness at the point guard position would be three qualities the Suns could use. They recently traded Brandon Knight to the Houston Rockets, acquiring several players including point guard De’Anthony Melton.

Also, the Suns still have Shaquille Harrison at the one position as well. Harrison had a decent rookie season for the Suns. He played in 23 games, started in two of them, played an average of 16.7 minutes per game, including scoring 6.6 points and 2.4 assists per game and shot 54.1% from the field.

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Another point guard for the Suns is Isaiah Canaan, who has played five years in the NBA and two years with the Suns. He only played in 19 games and just started in one. Rookie Elie Okobo rounds out the point guards depth chart for the Suns.

Taking a step back and looking at the big picture, the Suns lack that experience at the point guard position. McConnell would be a good fit because the three seasons he has played for the 76ers, he has averaged 22.9 minutes per game, playing in a total of 238 games and starting in 69 of them.

Watch highlights of McConnell’s first career triple-double this past season against the New York Knicks:

He may not be a starter, McConnell though would be able to provide a solid 15-20 minutes per game and compliment the starters well. Imagine McConnell to Deandre Ayton for the alley-oop. That would be worth the price of admission. Plus, as it’s been mentioned before here on Zona Zealots, he brings those intangibles that can’t be taught.

McConnell does have one year left in his 4-year contract with, making him a free agent for 2019-20 season. Depending on how this season goes for the 76ers, the Suns may want to take a serious look at acquiring him because of everything he has to offer, and he could get him for a good price. If the Suns are looking to build a team with experience, players they can count on to make smart decisions and make consistent runs in the postseason, McConnell is the unanimous choice.

At Zona Zealots, as always we wish nothing but the best for McConnell. Whether he remains on the 76ers, joins the Suns or another team, we will be there to provide you all the updates. Bear Down Wildcat fans!

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