KBD is a solid supplement that fills a need and has potential.
Have you enjoyed it yet? Free NBA agency is a mess, and if you bat an eyelid (or take a bathroom break), you might be missing out on a commitment. Luckily, here at Bright Side, we’re sitting in front of our computers, looking at our phones and holding our breath.
We know the deal. The Suns need depth, but because of their penchant for top-flight players, the team went into the day hoping that minimum veteran contracts would be enough to attract the players needed to make their contribution. It’s like having an exquisite steak dinner, except you’re paying coins for a few side dishes. They hope you can afford the grilled asparagus. And hopefully it tastes good. Please no A1.
The restaurant opened at 3pm AZ time and the mains were hot and cooked to perfection. The Suns added a six-foot-tall wingback in Keita Bates-Diop, who could fill the role previously held by Torrey Craig.
The 27-year-old Bates-Diop, who averaged 9.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 21.7 minutes with the San Antonio Spurs last season, agreed to the terms of a two-year, $5 million contract. He started 42 of his 67 games in the 2022/23 season.
According to Jacob Douglas of Pounding the Rock:
KBD started more than half of San Antonio’s games last season and averaged a career-high 9.7 points with a 39% shot percentage from three goals. Bates-Diop played his last three seasons with the Spurs, where he established himself as an NBA-level role player. Now he gets the chance to play a big role at a competitor in Phoenix.
He joins Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal as a versatile winger who can guard multiple positions and take out perimeter jumpers. He will join another former Spur player, Drew Eubanks, who also just signed a two-year deal with Phoenix.
San Antonio will miss KBD on and off the field. That year he was named a finalist in the Bob Lanier Community Assist Award for his dedication to CPR and AED training. He’s been a stable on-pitch presence for the young team, who have sported many different Silver and Black roles last season.
Bates-Diop could compete for a starting position with the Suns and would provide an opportunity to stretch the field. He’s a defensive player who could thrive in Frank Vogel’s plan and he’s a strenuous player who finishes hard. He is versatile and reminiscent of Josh Okogie. His defense will impress, his attack will improve.
The Ohio State University graduate has an edge that could be unleashed on a team as talented as Phoenix. More to come as free agency continues!
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