It will be interesting to come back mid-season and see how much things have changed and what their stock will look like at that point. Mid-season corresponds to Game 41, which follows the Suns’ game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 19.
A lot can happen between now and then, just like a lot has happened between the start of the season and now. The Suns are a 12-10 team that has yet to put their Big Three on the court. As a middle team, the Suns are patiently waiting for the opportunity to let their Big Three play. And who knows? It could be as early as Tuesday.This is a reminder that while we continue to review our roster exchange rates, I strive to base my analysis of each player’s stock on factual and statistical performance in addition to the subjectivity of preseason expectations.Let’s move on to the middle part of the group, in alphabetical order of course.Kevin Durant: Stocks ↑It’s hard to believe that at 35 years old, Kevin Durant’s stock is trending upward. He is at a point in his career where he needs to hold his own and increase his elite scoring where needed. It turns out that for the Phoenix Suns, “if necessary” has become nocturnal. And Easy Money Sniper has joined this. Durant is averaging 31 points in 19 games played, at 52.1/50/89.2. divides. He ranks second on the team in rebounds and blocks, and first in points, assists, minutes played and free throws. This season he takes the team forward. At 35 years old, Phoenix is relying on him due to the numerous injuries the team has suffered, and the hope is that this doesn’t affect his long-term longevity as the season progresses. We’re still waiting to find out if he’ll be available to play Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors after already missing three games this season.He is sensitive to turnover, as he leads the team in that stat as well. This is due to its high usage rate. If and when the Big Three become a thing, we can expect less usage and playmaking from Durant and more shooting ability, which he excels at.Drew Eubanks: Actions —If you had asked me two weeks ago, it would have been a clear “stocks ↑” situation for Drew Eubanks. He started out of the gate like an F1 race car and brought a lot of energy and explosiveness around the rim. The way he is written as Jusuf Nurkic is a clear win for the Suns considering the offseason signings.
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