Phoenix Suns' roster changes could open opportunities for remaining reserves

The Phoenix Suns had four fewer players on the 15-man roster several hours before they beat the Utah Jazz at home Thursday.

Jordan Goodwin, Yuta Watanabe, Keita Bates-Diop, and Chimezie Metu and four future draft picks were part of a three-team transaction with Brooklyn and Memphis earlier in the day. Phoenix (31-21) got Royce O'Neale from Brooklyn and David Roddy from Memphis in return.

The next-man-up mentality jolts NBA teams on days players are traded, but games must still be played. Opportunity opens for players who remain, however, as well as those joining a new team as players adjust to one another and their roles going forward.

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“Just getting our camaraderie back. It’s always a good feeling, especially once the deadline’s over with," said Bradley Beal after scoring 30 in the Jazz game. "Everybody’s kind of settled into, ‘OK, phew! Take a deep breath, I’m here. Let’s go to work now.’ So that was kind of our approach tonight. The energy in the locker room’s great. We definitely miss a lot of guys that aren’t with us anymore. We’re excited for guys who we’re getting ahead, but tonight was just a testament of our depth.”

Beal is close to St. Louis native Goodwin, who came over with Beal in last summer’s trade package from the Washington Wizards. Beal is Goodwin’s longtime mentor from when Goodwin played on Beal’s AAU team.

"That was a tough one for me, especially given our history together. I’ve known J. Good since he was a teenager, so it’s definitely surreal in some ways but at the same time we’ve talked about this,” Beal said. He added, “D.C., here, no matter what, man, if you’re here or anywhere else, somebody wants you.”

Several of the remaining Suns' role players who were rumored to be on the trading block before the deadline played well against Utah. Phoenix starter Grayson Allen had a career-high 14 assists with eight points, three rebounds two steals, and a block against his former team.

Allen, whose name swirled in trade rumors, said Jan. 19 at the Suns' practice that he didn't want to be traded and loves being on the team. Allen, who was traded to Phoenix before training camp in a three-team deal that sent Deandre Ayton to Portland for Jusuf Nurkic, has settled in as the team's fifth starter. He said it was a relief not being moved again.

“I think so. Once you hit this date (trade deadline), really it’s like this, then All-Star, you’re just locked in on the rest of the season and the playoffs at that point," Allen said. There’s no looming 'what if?' right now, which is nice.”

The Suns opted to keep several bench players who have contributed on and off this season, including Drew Eubanks, Nurkic's primary backup, who has played well lately as he scored the most of the bench on 12 points (5-of-8 shooting), seven rebounds, and a steal in 18 minutes against Utah.

Nassir Little, who had been the focus of recent trade speculation, ended up staying as well. He hit a 3 and put up three rebounds, one assist and a block in 16 minutes Thursday. Playing the same amount of time as Little, Josh Okogie had four points (2-of-4 shooting), three offensive rebounds, one assist, and a steal. Bol Bol had six points (3-of-5 FG), one rebound, and two blocks in just over 14 minutes.

They will remain a part of coach Frank Vogel's reserve rotation going forward. Little said there is a fresh opportunity for all of them.

"I think what happens is on these days when guys do get moved, opportunity tends to present itself because guys are gone and other guys who got traded haven’t came in yet," Little said. "It typically leaves opportunities for guy like myself and every time I get on the court I just want to take advantage of it.”

Vogel believes the trade deadline could be a factor in the level of performance from role players across the league. However, he doesn't think that notion impacted his team's bench against Utah.

“I think that can be the case league-wide as a general statement, but I think Drew and Josh and Bol’s playing exceptional for us," Vogel said. "Nas has been doing a great job staying ready. All four of those guys came in and really elevated our production out there. They had a great game for our bench guys and kudos to those guys. I don’t think that was because of the trade deadline.”

Even though the Suns' remaining reserves played well against Utah, they will have to continue to battle for their spot in practice and the games against the new additions O'Neale and Roddy, who were expected to join the team for Saturday night's game at Golden State.

O'Neale is a seven-year veteran wing that will be in the top-seven rotation. Roddy is a second-year player who will compete for his chances at getting minutes with the players who have already been in Phoenix.

Things could change depending on who the Suns sign from the buyout market to fill one or both remaining open roster spots. At least one would reach the 14-man roster minimum.

“It depends on the opportunity. Here it’s tough,” said 16-year veteran Eric Gordon (19 points, 7-of-8 shooting) after the Jazz game. “When you have a winning team and a lot of established guys, it’s kind of tough for a lot of young players. With those guys that left, I know hopefully they get a lot of opportunities elsewhere because in this league anything can happen and you always gotta work hard and find yourself.”

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns' roster: Reserves could get new opportunities after trade