Phoenix Suns Make Smart Move In Acquiring Brandan Wright

In need of a scoring big off the bench, the Phoenix Suns acquired Brandan Wright on Friday from the Boston Celtics in exchange for a first round pick.

The pick which goes to the Celtics does come with some conditions. It comes from the Minnesota Timberwolves and it is top 12 protected over the next two drafts. If the T-Wolves end up in the top 12 in each of the next two seasons, that first round selection turns into two second round picks, which is very likely to be the case.

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Whatever happens with the picks, the Suns made a good move in trading for Wright. The former North Carolina Tar Hill won’t be mistaken for a great player, but he’s a nice piece to have in the second half of the season, especially since the Suns won’t end up giving up a lot to have acquired him.

Now in his seventh season, Wright was arguably having the best season of his career earlier this year with the Dallas Mavericks. In 27 games, the 27-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in just under 19 minutes per contest.

His time in Dallas would come to an end though. Wright was part of the package that netted the Mavericks all-star point guard Rajon Rondo. In eight games in Bean Town, Wright saw his minutes cut nearly in half, thus seeing his numbers go way down.

Wright is expected to join the Suns tomorrow night in Memphis when his new team takes on the Grizzlies. It remains to be seen how head coach Jeff Hornacek will use him.

With how well he’s played over the last several weeks, Alex Len is of course locked in as the Suns starting center, but minutes are available for Wright off the bench.

Miles Plumlee has done a good job rebounding and blocking shots since going to the bench, but he has provided very little on the offensive end. Plumlee hasn’t had a double-digit point total since Dec. 12 and he’s had only five on the season.

Wright isn’t as good of a rebounder as Plumlee is, but he’s a much better scorer than the former Duke product. Earlier in the season with Dallas, Wright had eight straight double-digit scoring games, a far cry from what Plumlee has done this season. Wright has also put up better shot blocking totals this season than his new teammate.

We will find out over the next several weeks how Hornacek will use his bench bigs. Wright is probably an overall better option than Plumlee off the bench considering the season he’s having, but that could hurt chemistry considering Plumlee has been a cog on this roster going on two seasons now.

I guess that’s why they pay Hornacek the big bucks.