NBA analyst pokes fun at Carmelo Anthony's availability as Chris Paul's Phoenix Suns reportedly say there aren't enough rotation players
The Phoenix Suns have been hit by an injury bug throughout the 2022-23 season. With a lack of options in the free-agent market, it looks as if the Suns are in a difficult position.
Phoenix (20-16) has been without a number of key pieces in its lineup. Sharpshooting wing Cam Johnson underwent surgery and has been out since Nov. 5. Johnson is expected to miss one to two months of recovery time.
The Suns saw another domino fall recently, as superstar Devin Booker is expected to miss at least four weeks with a groin injury. Before returning to the lineup, veteran Chris Paul missed 14 games as well.
Recently on the "Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective" podcast, NBA analysts Brian Windhorst, Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon discussed the Suns' situation. They talked about how the Suns have had the desire to fill their 15th roster spot throughout the year.
"They wanna fill their 15th roster spot that's been open all season at some point, too," Windhorst said.
Windhorst said that the buzz around the G League Showcase was that there's a lack of available rotation players. But then MacMahon jumped in and joked that Chris Paul has Carmelo Anthony's phone number.
Said Windhorst: "One of the things that you hear about when coming out of the G League Showcase with all the two-way guys that exist in the league, there's just not, you know, there's not a plethora of available rotation players."
Said McMahon: "Hey, Chris Paul's got Carmelo's number."
Phoenix Suns looking for answers with injuries piling up
The Phoenix Suns' roster depth has suddenly been depleted.
Heading into the season, veteran Jae Crowder voiced his displeasure with his role on the team. Crowder had become an important piece of the Suns' rotation over the years. He has remained firm with his desire for a trade and has yet to appear in a game this season. With injuries continuing to pile up, Phoenix looks to be trending in the wrong direction.
Suns losses this season:
10 — December
6 — October and November combined https://t.co/SyO9h3E2yn
The Suns, 4-9 in their last 13 games, have won just one of their last five games, including Wednesday night's 127-102 loss to the Washington Wizards.
Phoenix will attempt to prevent a slide down the standings, but it's clear that the Suns are entering dangerous territory. Their hope is to move Crowder before the NBA's trade deadline in February. That could potentially bring some reinforcements in exchange.