NBA Trade Deadline 2020: 10 players who could use a change of scenery

9. Tyler Johnson

Tyler Johnson filled in admirably as a de facto point guard for the Phoenix Suns during a limited stretch last season, but his role has been severely cut under new head coach Monty Williams. While his defensive intensity, secondary scoring and passing ability were much-needed on last year’s team, the arrival of Ricky Rubio has put Johnson back in the combo guard slot.

That’d normally be good news, but he’s failed to earn Williams’ trust and his minutes have been slashed nearly in half, from 31.2 per game in his 11-game Phoenix stint last year to 16.9 per game this season. It’s less than encouraging that his path to playing time has been obstructed by a glut of inexperienced backup 1s in Elie Okobo, Jevon Carter and Ty Jerome, as well as Devin Booker‘s heavy slog of minutes at the 2.

However, despite what Johnson’s paltry numbers (5.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game on .376/.270/.733 shooting splits) might indicate, he’s still only 27 years old and is a lot better than his recent play has shown. The Suns are nowhere near the train wreck they’ve been in the last few years, but we’ve seen plenty of veterans come in and suddenly lose their ability to play ball, only to rediscover it elsewhere. Tyler Johnson feels like the next addition to the list, especially on a $19.2 million expiring contract.