Phoenix signs NAZ Suns’ Canaan under hardship exception
Dec 13, 2017, 12:09 PM | Updated: 2:34 pm
Philadelphia 76ers guard Isaiah Canaan, center, drives between Sacramento Kings' Nik Stauskas,left, of Canada, and Derrick Williams during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Tuesday, March 24, 2015.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
The Northern Arizona Suns traded for point guard Isaiah Canaan on Tuesday, but it appears he won’t be making his way to Prescott Valley. Instead, the fifth-year pro will be signed by the G League squad’s parent team in Phoenix under the NBA’s injury hardship exception.
Suns general manager Ryan McDonough confirmed the transaction to reporters at shootaround Wednesday and added that Canaan will suit up for the 7 p.m. game against the Toronto Raptors.
The Suns will exceed the NBA’s 15-man roster limit under the hardship allowance in which a team must have four or more players miss at least three consecutive games due to injury or illness.
Devin Booker (groin) missed his third game in a row Tuesday at Sacramento and was projected to miss at least two weeks. Additionally, Phoenix has been without Alan Williams, Brandon Knight and Davon Reed for the entire season due to knee ailments.
Under the rules, the Suns will be required to release a player when Booker is able to return.
Canaan, a second-round pick in 2013, has played for Houston (two stints), Philadelphia and Chicago.
The 6-foot, 201-pound point guard’s best season came in 2014-15, when he averaged 12.6 points and 3.1 assists in 22 games with a Sixers team that won 18 games. The next year, he averaged 11 points and 1.8 assists in 77 games (39 starts) with a 10-win Philadelphia squad.
Canaan’s addition comes as Phoenix has gotten inconsistent play from its point guards, second-year starter Tyler Ulis and 27-year-old rookie Mike James. Both are shooting below 40 percent on the year.
