The most surprising player from each NBA team this season

Phoenix Suns: Jared Dudley

The Phoenix Suns finally appeared ready to embrace a rebuild this summer. Caught in the middle of contending and rebuilding around young players after a surprise 48 win season in 2013-2014, Phoenix finally embraced a youth movement. They emphasized the draft and came away with Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, and Tyler Ulis. They took their cap room and signed a couple of veterans to serve as role models: Leandro Barbosa and Jared Dudley.

Jared Dudley was the assumed starter for the Suns. His job is generally to space the floor, do the small things well, and play good defense. Dudley has been able to do this well enough to be a starter for the better part of the last five seasons. Only 31, he should have another year or two of quality play left. Despite opening the season starting at the power forward position, Dudley only lasted there for seven games.

The Suns organization ultimately brought Jared Dudley in to split the power forward position with their two first round picks. The fact that Marquese Chriss has earned a starting spot isn’t the biggest deal. The fact that they gave Dudley three-years and $30 million and aren’t getting much of a return is problematic, however. He is a good locker room presence, sure, but $10 million isn’t a good return for an aging player on the fringes of the rotation. It could potentially be worse the next couple of years as well.