Guard Brandon Knight refused to play for Suns against Kings

[Yuma]

According to Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s John Gambadoro, on Tuesday starter Eric Bledsoe was told he would be shut down for the rest of the season. Because of that, Knight was told the team would need him to play.

Knight, having not seen court time in a calendar month, told the training staff his back was bothering him, and shortly before tip-off against the Kings Wednesday he was put on the injury report with back spasms.

Maybe Gambo is reaching on this, but the timing is unfortunate. Also unfortunate is Arizona Sports' headline:
Guard Brandon Knight refused to play for Suns against Kings

 

[sunsfan88]

I don't like Knight as a player but this is a reach. Even the article itself says that he had back spasms and that's why he didn't play.

This is a non story with media outlets just pouncing it on for clicks since there's no other drama going on with the Suns ever since Kieff's issues from last year.

I'll take it seriously if Knight is refusing to play in multiple games despite being asked to.

 

[Yuma]

I came to the same conclusion unless there is a quote that comes out saying, "I do not want to play for the Suns." Like you, I will wait and see. Now if he doesn't play anymore this season, I think I will be left to the conclusion he is refusing to play, especially since by then, I think someone in the Suns will leak it out.

 

[Mainstreet]

I will give Gambo the benefit of the doubt on this one as Knight is not expected to play the rest of the season.

http://arizonasports.com/story/1057912/brandon-knight-refused-play-suns-kings/

 

[Yuma]

Right or wrong how the Suns did or did not utilize Knight, Knight needed to be ready if they ever put him back on the court. It's just like NFL preseason, you may be a RB on a team 5 deep at RB, but you want good tape out there so another team will pick you up. You are always trying out for a job in sports. If Knight is not hurt, he is only hurting himself by not playing.

I have a question. In football you can waive a guy. I don't think you can in basketball, but I do not know. With Knight's escalating salary, what are your options if you cannot trade a guy, but you do not want him on your team? Do you just buy out the contract and let him walk? Do you make him the highest D league player in history? Give me some options guys.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I came to the same conclusion unless there is a quote that comes out saying, "I do not want to play for the Suns." Like you, I will wait and see. Now if he doesn't play anymore this season, I think I will be left to the conclusion he is refusing to play, especially since by then, I think someone in the Suns will leak it out.

You really need that? He's supposedly been working every day and there was just an article yesterday, I believe, about how he's the last person to leave practice every day. There was no mention of any injury or back spasm until AFTER he was told they were shutting down Bledsoe. I'd say it was a pretty clear message on his part.

Despite what I just said, I don't have much of a problem with his attitude. He asked for a midseason trade, we were unable to accommodate him. And then we told him he wouldn't be playing any more. His coach even went on radio and said Knight won't be playing again this season unless the front office tells me to play him. I don't think it's any surprise that Knight was disinclined to bail us out nor does he want to be blamed for the losses that will occur if he subs for Eric on a team playing it's young players already.

 

[Yuma]

You really need that? He's supposedly been working every day and there was just an article yesterday, I believe, about how he's the last person to leave practice every day. There was no mention of any injury or back spasm until AFTER he was told they were shutting down Bledsoe. I'd say it was a pretty clear message on his part.

Despite what I just said, I don't have much of a problem with his attitude. He asked for a midseason trade, we were unable to accommodate him. And then we told him he wouldn't be playing any more. His coach even went on radio and said Knight won't be playing again this season unless the front office tells me to play him. I don't think it's any surprise that Knight was disinclined to bail us out nor does he want to be blamed for the losses that will occur if he subs for Eric on a team playing it's young players already.

It's like calling a guy a liar. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt he really is hurt. You may be correct. I will concede that to you. I don't really care because I have moved on to this:

I have a question. In football you can waive a guy. I don't think you can in basketball, but I do not know. With Knight's escalating salary, what are your options if you cannot trade a guy, but you do not want him on your team? Do you just buy out the contract and let him walk? Do you make him the highest D league player in history? Give me some options guys.

 

[AzStevenCal]

I have a question. In football you can waive a guy. I don't think you can in basketball, but I do not know. With Knight's escalating salary, what are your options if you cannot trade a guy, but you do not want him on your team? Do you just buy out the contract and let him walk? Do you make him the highest D league player in history? Give me some options guys.

It's all about the money, you can waive him but you still owe him so it's rarely the way to go. Also, it's not a foregone conclusion that Knight cannot play in this league. We'll try and trade him in the offseason I'm sure and someone will likely be desperate enough to give him a chance. His contract might like huge to some but it's chicken feed compared to what starters will be getting under this new TV deal.

 

[gimpy]

What's wrong with this picture???

 

[sunsfan88]

Gosh imagine if the 76ers get the Lakers pick as it slides to #4 and they take Jackson/Tatum/Ball while we end up being stuck with a disgruntled Knight...

 

[Yuma]

It's all about the money, you can waive him but you still owe him so it's rarely the way to go. Also, it's not a foregone conclusion that Knight cannot play in this league. We'll try and trade him in the offseason I'm sure and someone will likely be desperate enough to give him a chance. His contract might like huge to some but it's chicken feed compared to what starters will be getting under this new TV deal.

I think you are right. So restating his contract, it's a 3 year 43.8 million dollar contract. They have paid worse players more. Just have to see how his perceived street value is.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think you are right. So restating his contract, it's a 3 year 43.8 million dollar contract. They have paid worse players more. Just have to see how his perceived street value is.

The Suns are not in win now mode but they will be next season.

It could be this summer the Suns can trade Knight for a player that has a similar contract who might help the Suns win. There must be some stagnant contracts out there another team would trade for Knight. In other words, the Suns would be swapping contracts but hopefully getting back a player they like better than Knight and vice versa

I don't think the Suns were looking for this type player at the trade deadline to let him sit. Or if they were, they were looking for a player that was injured and out for the season.

 

[pokerface]

I think we are stuck with Knight unless we want to give up good stuff to unload him. He numbers are too bad...His stat numbers...His contract length...his money. Bad numbers.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think we are stuck with Knight unless we want to give up good stuff to unload him. He numbers are too bad...His stat numbers...His contract length...his money. Bad numbers.

Maybe.

However, the Suns do not have a lock on bad contracts.

I don't see why two bad contracts cannot find another home they like better.

 

[Hoop Head]

The Suns have shut Knight down for the year, according to Watson. So he won't be returning to lower his value or help us tank but I think it's for the best. This keeps any questions about his character from coming up like what happened with his "back spasms" against the Kings. There is a chance he'd have a crazy game also and help us beat a team we should lose to.

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[pokerface]

The Suns have shut Knight down for the year, according to Watson. So he won't be returning to lower his value or help us tank but I think it's for the best. This keeps any questions about his character from coming up like what happened with his "back spasms" against the Kings. There is a chance he'd have a crazy game also and help us beat a team we should lose to.

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We've been tanking fine without him but I'd love to see him take Booker's minutes. That would be a double whammy wouldn't it?? That would be the tankiest thing ever.

 

[pokerface]

Maybe.

However, the Suns do not have a lock on bad contracts.

I don't see why two bad contracts cannot find another home they like better.

I don't know...It's kinda like how you try not to give up on Len... I feel that way towards Knight. I think it's a little different because Brandon is already under contract and had a good season in Milwaukee. So I think his value could go back up......maybe

Here is to Knight and Len buddy...Cheers!

 

[JCSunsfan]

I think we are stuck with Knight unless we want to give up good stuff to unload him. He numbers are too bad...His stat numbers...His contract length...his money. Bad numbers.

Better to waive him than give up assets to move him. The Suns are not in a salary problem. The only reason I give up an asset to move him is if I have a big time FA on the line and I really have to make room.