Report: Former Suns PG Isaiah Canaan to sign with Minnesota
Jan 29, 2019, 3:44 PM
Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Canaan (0) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
(AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
Former Phoenix Suns point guard Isaiah Canaan is signing a 10-day contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
After a devastating leg injury ended his year last season, Canaan remained with the Suns through training camp and emerged as the favorite to start at the point guard position.
He did just that for 15 games but struggled in the role as a secondary ball-handler to Devin Booker, not providing much scoring or playmaking to take the burden off the 22-year-old shooting guard. Canaan averaged 7.5 points and 3.3 assists per game with the Suns this season.
On Nov. 23, head coach Igor Kokoskov elected to have Canaan come off the bench and roll with “Point Book” to start games, placing three wings and Deandre Ayton around Booker to move rookie Mikal Bridges into the starting lineup.
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In two of those first three games playing off the bench, Canaan scored zero points in 37 total minutes. In his final Suns outing on Nov. 27, he recorded five points, three rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes.
The Suns waived Canaan the next day, recalling rookie point guard De’Anthony Melton from the G League. Rookie Elie Okobo started a few games for the Suns before Melton became the team’s starting point guard on Dec. 6 until he sprained his ankle on Jan. 24.
