David Roddy is one of the new players of the Phoenix Suns and the youngest at 22 years old.
He’s on the outside looking in at a wing rotation where playing time is consumed by stars or defensive specialists. With all that considered, Roddy believes he can contribute this season and is more than a developmental player on a long-term deal.
“I know I can bring something to this team,” Roddy said Tuesday when joining Arizona Sports Burns and Gambo. “I’m just going to do whatever it takes to help this team. Whether it’s five or ten minutes, it doesn’t matter.
As a second-year player out of Colorado State drafted in the first round by Memphis, Roddy was a consistent contributor with the Grizzlies for two seasons before being traded to Phoenix as part of a three-way trade that shipped an assortment of wings and also brought Royce O’Neale to the Suns.
With Memphis, Roddy was able to average 20 minutes per game for a season and a half to launch his NBA career.
“Playing in Memphis and all those minutes, I definitely have a lot of experience playing close games,” Roddy said.
That experience could prove invaluable if the Suns need a change in the rotation, matchups favor Roddy, or Phoenix is bitten by the injury bug.
“We’re playing for a championship now, so I completely understand the situation I found myself in,” Roddy said.
This means fewer minutes. That proved to be the case for Roddy through eight games, although he has gotten some time lately thanks to a rash of injuries to Devin Booker, Josh Okogie and Eric Gordon.
Over eight games played with the Suns, Roddy averages 4.5 minutes per game.
Although he is known as a driver, his most valuable contributions might be on the defensive end.
“On the defensive side, it’s really just…hopefully keeping the best player on the floor and just making it difficult for them and increasing that intensity,” he said.
