PHOENIX SUNS

Suns coach Jeff Hornacek sees a role for Kendall Marshall

Jul 19, 2013, 10:54 PM | Updated: Jul 20, 2013, 3:18 pm

LISTEN: Jeff Hornacek, Suns Head Coach

Kendall Marshall is entering his second year in the NBA. The former 13th overall draft pick of the Phoenix Suns didn’t make much of an impact in his rookie season, averaging just 3.0 points and 3.0 assists in 48 games.

Marshall is part of the Suns’ undefeated Las Vegas Summer League team and is still feeling his way around, averaging 7.0 points and 4.0 assists per contest.

Considering all the change that happened with the organization this past offseason — from the hiring of a new general manager and head coach to the acquisition of guards Eric Bledsoe and Archie Goodwin — many are wondering what Marshall’s place with the Suns is moving forward.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek isn’t definitive about it, but does see the former North Carolina star playing a role.

“We’ve talked about it,” Hornacek told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 620 Friday. “The first vision is to see Goran (Dragic) and Eric (Bledsoe) out there together, but you need some other point guards out there.

“If we’re trying to be a fast-breaking team, sure there’s a spot for him. You never know how the roster is going to shake out at the end of the year — with guys at the two-spot also, but we’ll figure that out.”

While Marshall’s Summer League numbers are very similar to the stats he posted last year (7.0 points, 6.5 assists per game), there is an area where Hornacek has noticed some improvement in the point guard’s game.

“He’s shooting the ball with confidence,” Hornacek said. “We wouldn’t have won the second game of the Summer League without him making two big threes at the end of the game.”

Marshall is shooting both .444 from the field and three-point range, which is a stark improvement over his 2012-13 regular season percentages of .371 from the field and .315 from three-point territory.

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

16 hours ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

1 day ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

2 days ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

2 days ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

3 days ago

Suns coach Jeff Hornacek sees a role for Kendall Marshall