Brandon Knight Remaining in Phoenix

For the second straight year, the Phoenix Suns have signed a point guard to a max contract. Except this time around, it was quick, decisive, and encouraging.

Mar 4, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Brandon Knight (3) drives past Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

After the Eric Bledsoe saga last offseason, Phoenix Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough quickly signed free agent Brandon Knight to a 5-year deal worth $70 million dollars. According to Jeff Goodman of ESPN, the deal contains no player options. The contract cannot be officially signed until July 9th.

Acquired by the Suns from the Milwaukee Bucks at lasts year’s the trade deadline, the 24-year-old Knight has proven to be on the best young scoring point guards in the league. During his two season in Milwaukee, he averaged over 17 ppg and 5 apg, which made his trade very surprising.

His time with the Suns last season was shortened to only 11 games due to an ankle injury. But still, he averaged 13.4 ppg and 4.5 apg while fighting through the injury.

Knight played his college ball for the Kentucky Wildcats and was a first-round draft pick by the Detroit Pistons in 2011. He played two years for Detroit before heading to Milwaukee. Despite his young age, Knight is a leader and was leading the Bucks to a playoff berth before his trade.

As of right now, Knight will joint the backcourt with fellow Kentucky alumn, Eric Bledsoe to form Backcourt 2000, take 3. On paper, this looks like a formidable duo. Combined with Tyson Chandler and the potential of LaMarcus Aldridge this has the makings of a playoff team and potential contender in a crowded Western Conference.

Now, here comes the chaos.

With the Suns signing of Tyson Chandler and Brandon Knight they have taken up all available cap-space. That makes landing a big-name free agent like LaMarcus Aldridge a little more difficult. The most likely scenario to land Aldridge would need to come through a sign-and-trade deal.

So what are the Suns options? Moving Eric Bledsoe comes to mind first. But looking deeper that seems unlikely considering Portland is planning on extending their point guard Damien Lillard to a massive deal and wouldn’t what that much money in their backcourt. Other options could involve packaging the Morris Twins who have become despised in the desert for their on and off the court actions.

Whatever happens, the Suns have a huge free agency ahead of them. They have now shown their commitment to be a marquee destination with the signing of Chandler and Knight. Now can they continue their success? The difference from could be fighting for a 8th seed or contending for a top-4 seed in the Western Conference. No pressure, Ryan.