Kendall Marshall: No hard feelings towards Phoenix Suns

Dec 23, 2013, 11:23 PM | Updated: 11:23 pm

PHOENIX, Ariz. – No Kobe Bryant. No Steve Nash.

That’s okay.

Phoenix Suns fans can cheer, or boo, Kendall Marshall.

The former lottery pick, whom the Suns selected 13th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, made his return to US Airways Center Monday, as a member of the L.A. Lakers.

Marshall signed with the Lakers late last week because of injuries to Bryant and Nash as well as point guards Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar. He made his debut Saturday in a loss at Golden State.

“I had a blast,” he said of his six-minute stint that produced three points (a three-pointer, his only shot attempt) and four turnovers. “It was fun to be back out there. My team has really been helping me out. Obviously, we didn’t play as well as we wanted to the last game. I didn’t play as well as I wanted to start out with my team, but it’s a part of the process. I’m excited about it. I think we’ll continue to get better.”

Marshall’s stay in Phoenix was brief and uneventful.

Drafted by then-general manager Lance Blanks, Marshall never lived up to expectations, or at least the expectations that come from being a lottery pick. He averaged three points and three assists in 14.6 minutes in 48 games during his rookie campaign.

Marshall never made it to year two.

Five days before the start of the season, Marshall, buried on the depth chart behind Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic, Archie Goodwin and Ish Smith, was included in a five-player trade that sent Marcin Gortat to Washington.

“It’s a part of the business,” Marshall said following shootaround. “There’s no hard feelings whatsoever. I’m thankful for Phoenix for giving me the opportunity to play in this league. I’ll always be, like I said, thankful for them for that.

“At the end of the day, I’m still 22 years old. I still have a lot of basketball left in me,” he continued. “This is one chapter of my life that I wouldn’t trade for the world. The way it went — obviously I wished it went a little different, but you learn from it; you continue to get better and it helps you for the future.”

Marshall, who admitted he had “no idea” a trade was coming, never made it to Washington. The Wizards waived him hours after the trade.

Before the Lakers called, Marshall was playing in the NBA Development League, averaging 19.4 points and 9.6 assists in seven games with the Delaware 87ers.

“I think I kind of got some joy back, going down there and playing for a couple of weeks,” he said, before adding, “I’ve always been humble. It made me appreciate the situation and understanding that, at the end of the day, basketball is still a privilege and I get to do it for a living. I still don’t think it’s a bad thing at all.”

Still adjusting to his new surroundings, Marshall may not see much time, if any, against his former team.

“It’s been crazy. It’s been a whirlwind in the past week,” he said, and then smiled, “Of course, I really want this one.”

Phoenix Suns

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns reacts on the bench during the first half of the NBA game at F...
Austin Scott

By the numbers: How injuries have hurt the Suns’ consistency

The Suns have been dealing with injuries all season long. Here are a few numbers that show the impact injuries have had on the season.
15 hours ago
Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns signs autographs before the game against the Chicago Bulls at ...
Arizona Sports

Report: Suns’ Kevin Durant progressing toward return vs. Timberwolves

Suns star Kevin Durant is progressing toward a Wednesday return against the Timberwolves after missing time due to a sprained ankle.
15 hours ago
Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams yells at officials during the second half of the team's NBA baske...
Arizona Sports

Suns coach Monty Williams fined for criticism of NBA officials

The NBA fined Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams $20,000 for criticizing the referees in a Tuesday loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
15 hours ago
General manager James Jones of the Phoenix Suns looks on after the game against the Miami Heat at F...
Tyler Drake

Jones: Suns need to ‘control what they can control’ with fouling

Worrying over what transpired in previous games does the Phoenix Suns no favors as it jostles for playoff position.
15 hours ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on March 22, 2023 in Los...
Dan Bickley

Suns crying foul hints at problems between their ears

The Suns have been tagged as a flopping, foul-hunting, fall-down-after-every-shot kind of team. You don’t think that comes with consequences?
2 days ago
Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns takes a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half ...
Kellan Olson

Suns let another winnable game slip away, lose to Lakers

The Phoenix Suns keep letting winnable games slip away in uncharacteristic ways and have now lost five of their last six.
2 days ago
Kendall Marshall: No hard feelings towards Phoenix Suns