The 2024 NBA trade deadline wasn’t as eventfully as it has been in recent memory. One of the teams that contributed to this lack of action was the Phoenix Suns.
However, this wasn’t necessarily the Suns’ fault. They traded away a lot of assets to get Bradley Beal on the team while also keeping Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Therefore, they weren’t expected to make a lot of moves.
However, before the trade deadline ended, on Feb. 8, 2024, they made one big move via a three-team trade. Here are the details below:
-the Brooklyn Nets received Keita Bates-Diop, Jordan Goodwin, Vanja Marinkovic (through draft rights), and three future second round picks
-the Memphis Grizzles received Chimezie Metu, Yuta Watanabe, and a 2026 first round pick swap
-the Phoenix Suns received Royce O’Neale and David Roddy
Focusing on the Suns, they added more depth. The main concern for this team was the fact that they are top heavy and, while they still are, adding these players makes the team more complete.
It also displayed that they were willing to trade a player that wasn’t producing to their liking: Yuta Watanabe.
Before Watanabe was a Phoenix Sun, he was a Brooklyn Net during the 2022-23 season.
While there, he averaged 5.6 points on 49.1% from the field, 44.4% from three, and 72.3% from the line. But these stats were on a small sample size of four shots a game.
The bottom line was he had potential. Potential to be a good shooter, especially from three. Unfortunately, that potential wasn’t tapped into when he got to the Suns.
As a Sun, he averaged 3.6 points on 36.1% from the field, 32% from three, and 66.7% from the line. Across the board, each of these percentages dipped immensely.
On top of these disappointing stats, he also dealt with injuries, too. Therefore, instead of playing 58 of the 82 games (like he did in the 2022-23 season) he played 29 games this season.
In other words, Watanabe’s season was a mess. However, despite his struggles, the Suns seemed to be fine.
Without Yuta Watanabe, the Suns were shooting fine from 3-point range. Statistically, quite a few key Suns players improved or remained consistent from three.
As of Feb. 12, Grayson Allen has the best 3-point percentage in the league at 49%! This high percentage has even led him to having his career best point average of 12.8. He’s just having a great season within his role.
Kevin Durant isn’t too far behind him at 44.5% from three. Thanks to players like Booker and Beal handling the ball more, Kevin Durant seems to have taken a step back running the offense. And his efficient percentages show that.
Eric Gordon has the next best 3-point percentage at 38.7%. This is an okay 3-point percentage for Gordon since he’s known to be a shooter. But it’s still a good percentage for the average player.
Not too far behind Gordon is Booker with a 3-point percentage of 38.1%. Booker has never been a great 3-point shooter, but he’s always been effective, even hot at times. This season was more of the same.
Fortunately, their efforts from three didn’t go to waste. Despite the team taking 31.4 threes per game (26th in the NBA), they have the 5th highest percentage at 37.9%.
It’s good that they have a high percentage but they’re likely looking for someone to help increase their volume. Keeping Yuta Watanabe doesn’t help that cause.
All in all, Yuta Watanabe didn’t fit the Suns roster anymore. By NBA standards, the only aspect of his game that made him stand out was his shooting potential from three.
However, due to injuries, his major dips in percentages, and the Suns shooting well (on low volume) there was no need for him to remain on the roster.
Hopefully, Yuta can find a better role on the Grizzlies!
Stay tuned for more NBA content, including midseason moves, contract updates, and more pieces about every team.
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