Report: Derrick Rose injury could lead Jordan McRae to Pistons, not Suns
Mar 3, 2020, 12:14 PM
Washington Wizards guard Jordan McRae (52) goes to the basket next to Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
An injury to Detroit Pistons guard Derrick Rose could keep the Phoenix Suns from landing former Wizards and Nuggets combo guard Jordan McRae, reports Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Haynes.
Phoenix had planned on putting in a waiver claim for McRae after he was released by the Denver Nuggets, according to multiple reports, but now the Pistons are considering doing the same after Rose suffered a sprained right ankle. They are ahead of the Suns in waiver priority order.
An MRI on Rose came back negative, but Haynes reports that it will be weeks before the guard is reassessed.
McRae will know Wednesday afternoon where he’s headed next, according to Haynes.
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The 24-37 Suns certainly could use McRae. They have lost three in a row, including losses to the Pistons (20-42) and Warriors (13-48) in the last two games. Phoenix has struggled to produce offensively since Kelly Oubre Jr. injured his knee before the skid.
Adding McRae, a 28-year-old guard, could go some way in replacing Oubre’s 18.7 points per game.
In a career-high 22.6 minutes per game, McRae averaged 12.8 points and 2.8 assists on 42% shooting and 38% accuracy from three-point range in 29 games with the Washington Wizards this season.
A Feb. 6 trade landed him in Denver, where he appeared in four games but found himself behind a deep group of guards. The Nuggets and McRae agreed to a buyout this week.
McRae has played for four NBA teams, including a seven-game run with the Suns in 2015-16. He averaged 5.3 points and 1.4 assists in 11.7 minutes per game during his Phoenix stint.
