The Phoenix Suns recognized they lacked depth last season, prompting them to take significant steps this offseason to avoid a repeat. They’ve added Tyus Jones as their starting point guard and secured Monte Morris as a backup, who may not even see regular playing time.
Given the inevitability of injuries—Bradley Beal played only 53 games last season and Kevin Durant is nearing 36—the Suns are prioritizing having multiple options. While Devin Booker is an outstanding player, he alone isn’t sufficient to compete in the Western Conference.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Suns have signed guard Jaden Shackelford to an Exhibit 10 contract. Shackelford previously contributed to the OKC Blue’s G League Championship win. He is the second player to receive this type of deal recently, following Mamadi Diakite.
These contracts are minimum deals that can be converted into two-way contracts before the season starts, which is likely the plan for Shackelford. While the Suns have added Tyus Jones, Monte Morris, Collin Gillespie, and TyTy Washington for ball-handling duties, Shackelford is primarily a scoring option.
Shackelford averaged 13.5 points per game with the Blue last season and is an above-average three-point shooter. Owner Mat Ishbia and the front office seem to have adopted a strategy of ensuring they keep promising talent in-house rather than letting them go elsewhere. With several players who have NBA experience already in the mix, Shackelford adds a competitive edge.
However, it’s difficult to see how he—or any G League player—can break into the main roster. Shackelford is likely behind Jalen Bridges, the undrafted rookie the Suns quickly signed this year. Additionally, draft picks Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro will also be looking to make an impact.
It seems the Suns recognized their guard position’s weaknesses after Beal’s injury and are proactively establishing multiple backup plans to prevent similar issues. While Phoenix’s track record with draft picks over the past decade hasn’t been stellar, signing Shackelford is a low-risk move.
Additionally, this is the inaugural season for the Valley Suns in the G League. With discussions around Bronny James as a notable young talent, having a proven scorer like Shackelford who can potentially transition to the NBA makes strategic sense, even if it’s just a small step in their overall plan.
