Phoenix Suns sign former 76ers big Jonah Bolden to 10-day deal

The Phoenix Suns will sign former Philadelphia 76ers forward Jonah Bolden to a 10-day contract, reports The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station confirmed the report, adding the big man is expected to be available Wednesday night as the Suns face the Golden State Warriors.

Bolden was waived Friday after the NBA trade deadline. The Suns opened a roster spot to add him by releasing guard Tyler Johnson on Monday. Bolden has only appeared in four games this season.

However, last year the No. 36 overall pick in 2017 played in 44 games with 10 starts. He averaged 4.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game in 14.5 minutes while shooting 49% from the field. The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward, who is 24 years old, also shot 35.4% from three-point range while taking 2.2 per game.

Suns head coach Monty Williams coached Bolden when Williams was a member of the Sixers staff last year.

Phoenix is likely without starting center Deandre Ayton (ankle) on Wednesday against the Warriors, the final game before the All-Star break.

The Suns have already been without backup center Aron Baynes (hip) in addition to power fowards Dario Saric (ankle) and Frank Kaminsky (knee). Williams said Wednesday at shootaround that there were no updates regarding a return for either Baynes or Kaminsky.

Kaminsky has been out since Dec. 28, while Baynes has not played since Jan. 18.

The injuries had reduced the big man depth to undersized center Cheick Diallo and power forward Tariq Owens, who is on a two-way contract.

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