Darren Collison recently worked out for the Phoenix Suns, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes of Turner Sports. Collison had a “great showing” during his workout session with Phoenix.
Free agent veteran guard Darren Collison worked out for Phoenix Suns last week and had a great showing, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. Phoenix remains aggressive in searching for complementary players.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 3, 2023
Collison appeared in three games with the Los Angeles Lakers last season. He averaged 1.3 points while shooting 28.6% from the field.
The 35-year-old Collison has career averages of 12.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists with the New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Lakers. He was the 21st overall pick in the 2009 draft out of UCLA.
The Suns need more depth around Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, which is why they signed Eric Gordon, Yuta Watanabe, Chimezie Metu, Keita Bates-Diop and Drew Eubanks and re-signed Damion Lee and Josh Okogie. Phoenix, however, didn’t re-sign Jock Landale, who signed with the Houston Rockets.
Gordon is the household name out of the above group. He has career averages of 16.0 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists with the Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans and Rockets. He won the Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2017 with Houston.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Booker is going to be more or less the primary ball handler for the Suns next season since Chris Paul is no longer on the team.
“The Suns are going to light it up like Times Square on New Year’s Eve with Durant, Booker and Beal,” Scotto said. “I don’t know if there are enough basketballs to go around, but my understanding is Booker is going to be more or less the primary ball handler a lot of times. Beal can handle the ball too, and create in pick-and-rolls, but it seems like this is more of an avenue to get the ball in Booker’s hands and really maximize his usage rate.”
It will be interesting to see if the Suns sign Collison, who turns 36 in August.
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