Suns sign PG Isaiah Canaan

[Hoop Head]

The Phoenix Suns have signed veteran guard Isaiah Canaan after receiving an injury hardship exemption by the NBA. Canaan will be available for the Suns’ game tonight against the Toronto Raptors at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The team’s roster now stands at 18 players.

Canaan, a 6-0, 200-pound guard, is in his fifth NBA season, appearing in one game with Houston earlier this season. He holds career averages of 8.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 20.2 minutes over 186 games (60 starts) with Houston (2013-15; 2017), Philadelphia (2015-16) and Chicago (2016-17). In the 2017 NBA Playoffs, Canaan averaged 11.7 points on 50.0 percent shooting in three games for the Bulls, tallying 13 points, three assists and two steals in Game 4 of their First Round series against Boston, 13 points in Game 5, and nine points in Game 6.

The fourth GATORADE Call-Up in the NBA this season, Canaan joins the Phoenix Suns after playing one game with the Northern Arizona Suns of the G League, scoring 18 points in the NAZ Suns’ 138-94 win over the Santa Cruz Warriors last night. He recorded 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, and a team-high six assists while earning the start at point guard. The NAZ Suns acquired Canaan yesterday in a trade with the Agua Caliente Clippers.

Canaan began his pro career with the Rockets, appearing in 48 games over parts of two seasons before he was traded to Philadelphia on Feb. 19, 2015. In 2015-16, Canaan averaged career highs of 11.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 77 games (39 starts) with the 76ers. In 99 total games with Philadelphia, he averaged 11.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists, including 10 games scoring 20-plus points and a career-high 31 points at Oklahoma City on March 4, 2015. Last season, Canaan played in 39 games with the Bulls, helping the team reach the postseason.

http://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/phoenix-suns-sign-isaiah-canaan


I'm surprised this didn't get it's own thread. I'm not entirely sure how long he's under contract for, if it's temporary or if he's signed for the remainder of the season. I'm sure more will be available on that soon and that can be posted here.

 

[Hoop Head]

Here is a link to his career stats, he does have playoff experience which should help him stand out amongst our other younger players.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/canaais01.html


He was big in the win against the Timberwolves. His late 3 point attempt that he was fouled on put the Suns ahead by 2 with 6 seconds to go, which ended up being the final score. He was interviewed by Leander and Chambers for the post game show. He seems to be a smart player who plays up tempo and see the court well. It was only one game but we'll see how he does. He definitely appears to be more of a true PG than Mike James.


He played in 27 minutes, shooting 3-5 from the field, 1-2 from 3, and 8-8 from the FT line. He had 15 points, 5 rebound, 7 assists, along with 4 turnovers. He also had a plus/minus of +19, which was the 3rd best on the team behind Len +20, and Bender +22.


http://www.nba.com/suns/video/teams/suns/2017/12/17/1805399/1513485604999-canaan-tom-and-tom-1805399

 

[elindholm]

I don't know anything about him, but I recognize his name, so that's good. The Suns need at least one bona fide PG, even a below-average one, to keep James honest.

 

[Hoop Head]

I recall his time with the Rockets briefly, I remember him as a Rocket but he last played there during the 2014-15 season, although he did play 1 game for them this season. He started in place of Rondo for the Bulls during the Bulls vs Celtics playoff series last year though, I remember seeing him there. He was the starter in Philly 2 years for half the season as well. From seeing him play against Minnesota I think he could be another Ish Smith. A good passing PG but he doesn't do anything that well and has been a bit of a journeyman for that reason. He's played PG and SG over the last few years, with Philly and Chicago using him primarily as a SG, which he really isn't.

 

[Errntknght]

Probably Canaan's best game ever as a PG I remember him playing for the 76ers a couple of years ago - I thought he was their go-to guy for tanking purposes when TJ McConnell threatened to win a game. He got more rebounds than assists and he wasn't a good rebounder for a PG. 1.6 ast/game in 20 minutes.
He had one foot out the door of the league, after 4 years of very little improvement, when we signed hi but who knows, maybe something has clicked for him. The way our PGs have been playing, he certainly has a golden opportunity if that is the case.
The odds are he reverts so we will likely have to be looking for another PG.
There are a number of unheralded young PGs around the league who have decent stats:
Jerian Grant Chi
Tyus Jones Min
Shabazz Napier Portland
Delon Wright Toronto
Fred Vanvleet Toronto
Raul Neto Utah
Tim Frazier Wash
Shane Larkin Boston
Shelvin Mack Orlando
Andrew Harrison Memphis
Spencer Dinwiddie Nets
David Nwaba Chi

Very few of them are going to waived but teams might be forced to let some of them go because of roster space after the draft or looking to trade them to fill a need.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Probably Canaan's best game ever as a PG I remember him playing for the 76ers a couple of years ago - I thought he was their go-to guy for tanking purposes when TJ McConnell threatened to win a game. He got more rebounds than assists and he wasn't a good rebounder for a PG. 1.6 ast/game in 20 minutes.
He had one foot out the door of the league, after 4 years of very little improvement, when we signed hi but who knows, maybe something has clicked for him. The way our PGs have been playing, he certainly has a golden opportunity if that is the case.
The odds are he reverts so we will likely have to be looking for another PG.
There are a number of unheralded young PGs around the league who have decent stats:
Jerian Grant Chi
Tyus Jones Min
Shabazz Napier Portland
Delon Wright Toronto
Fred Vanvleet Toronto
Raul Neto Utah
Tim Frazier Wash
Shane Larkin Boston
Shelvin Mack Orlando
Andrew Harrison Memphis
Spencer Dinwiddie Nets
David Nwaba Chi

Very few of them are going to waived but teams might be forced to let some of them go because of roster space after the draft or looking to trade them to fill a need.

We don't need a star pg, just a competent one. He has to shoot decent from 3 (33% or better), pass first, and give good effort on D.

Canaan has done all those things so far, but if there is a better option out there, I am all for it. The problem with our present pg are as follows:

1. Ulis. Passes first, but so badly it would be better if he did not. His turnovers are just astonishing. He is limited defensively because of his size, and he is a marginal shooter.

2. Mike James. He works hard on D and brings energy to the game. He shoots OK, but not good. He plays one on five too much. Does not pass the ball enough.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

How many games has he played for the Suns?

 

[JCSunsfan]

How many games has he played for the Suns?

Yes. Just one. We are desperate for a pg here.

 

[Mainstreet]

Canaan's stay in Phoenix may not last long unless he forces the Suns to make another move. He is an injury hardship exception player.

His stay in Phoenix might not last too long, either. The Suns signed Canaan as an injury hardship exception after Devin Booker was hurt and Booker is expected back around Christmas. Logically, Canaan might be the one to go, although if he continues to play like he did against the Timberwolves he’ll at least make the decision hard on Phoenix.

“I’d love to stay in one spot and find a home,” said Canaan, a second-round pick in 2013 by the Houston Rockets out of Murray State.

Scott Bordow, azcentral sports Published 3:22 p.m. MT Dec. 17, 2017 | Updated 3:46 p.m. MT Dec. 17, 2017

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...opes-he-can-find-home-phoenix-suns/959544001/

Somehow, I hope the Suns can make room for him. Moving a center might be the best option.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Canaan's stay in Phoenix may not last long unless he forces the Suns to make another move. He is an injury hardship exception player.



Scott Bordow, azcentral sports Published 3:22 p.m. MT Dec. 17, 2017 | Updated 3:46 p.m. MT Dec. 17, 2017

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...opes-he-can-find-home-phoenix-suns/959544001/

Somehow, I hope the Suns can make room for him. Moving a center might be the best option.

There are other options. Cutting House maybe?

 

[Mainstreet]

There are other options. Cutting House maybe?

I'm liking House.

I'd like to trade a center but playoff teams are waiting for the the Suns to let one go.

 

[Hoop Head]

Saw someone post this elsewhere, this is a highlight of Canaan's D on IT last year during the playoffs. Didn't see that for us but if he can play solid D then the Suns should definitely find a way to keep him.

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[ColdPickleNachos]

Cut Mike James!

 

[Mainstreet]

Canaan might be the best PG on the Suns roster.

 

[SirStefan32]

I am guessing House would be the first to go, followed by James.

 

[Hoop Head]

I think it depends on how long he'll be on the roster before a move needs to be made. The trade deadline is before the All-Star break now so it's not that far away, 2 months, and we'll either move Monroe or buy him out by then.

I believe it's mid-January when teams are allowed to sign players to 10 day contracts, but I think that counts against the total number of players on the roster. I'm not 100% on that, is anyone aware of if a player is signed to a 10 day contract if they take up a roster spot while they're signed? Because if they don't then I could see the Suns benefitting from that this year with their injuries.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Isaiah Canaan is an interesting story. He came into the league as a small shooting guard. The scouting report on him coming out of college was that he was a very good shooter and scorer but lacked pg skills. That proved to be true in his first few years in the league.

Then he went to the GLeague and sort of re-invented himself as a passing pg. He played 23 games and averaged 8 assists per game. It will be interesting to see whether he can keep up the new MO or whether he will revert to just another Mike James type of pg.

 

[devilalum]

Canaan might be the best PG on the Suns roster.

Might?


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[Mainstreet]

Might?

Actually I thought about leaving out the word "might." I should have.

 

[JCSunsfan]

It is just one game. So, there's that. But from what we have seen so far

 

[devilalum]

It is just one game. So, there's that. But from what we have seen so far

Yes it’s one game but we’re also talking about a pretty low bar.


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[JCSunsfan]

Yes it’s one game but we’re also talking about a pretty low bar.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah.

 

[Raze]

16 ppg
6.5 apg
4.5 rpg
1.5 spg
60% fg
60% 3fg
27 mpg

Sure, it's only 2 games, but I love what I saw in those 2 games. Good on the ball defender too. Delivered in the clutch twice now.

 

[Ronin]

scott bordow
@sbordow

Amazing stat: Canaan first player in Suns history to come off the bench and have at least 15 points and five assists in first two games

 

[Carolinacacti]

And certain people said the Gleague was a bunch of hot garbage players.