The Suns are going to be without 24-year old backup point guard Goran Dragic for several games due to the fact that he needed 9 stitches to close a gash on his left foot. He stepped on some glass. Dragic has played in 45 games (2 starts) for the Suns so far this year and he is averaging 18.4 minutes, 7.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. This is going to hurt the Suns in more ways than one. Dragic was allowing the Suns to watch 36-year old point guard Steve Nash’s minutes and it has kept him healthy and fresh. Nash will likely be asked to play more minutes until Dragic returns unless 26-year old rookie Zabian Dowdell steps up. Dowdell has played in 2 games (0 starts) for the Suns so far this year and he is averaging 6.5 minutes, 2.0 points, 0.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Nash is having an outstanding year for the Suns as he has played in 43 games (all starts) in which he is averaging 32.9 minutes, 17.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game. The Suns really hope Dowdell is ready for prime time because he’s the only other real point guard on the roster besides Nash & Dragic.

The Suns have lost 22-year old rookie forward Gani Lawal for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL and a partially torn ACL in his left knee. Lawal only played in 1 game (0 starts) for the Suns in which he played 2 scoreless minutes without getting any rebounds, assists, steals or blocked shots. Lawal was a 2nd round pick out of Georgia Tech last June.

The Phoenix Suns have waived 29-year old center/power forward Earl Barron. Barron played in 12 games (6 starts) for the Suns this season and he averaging 15.3 minutes, 3.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Barron only shot 23.5% from the floor and 60% from the free throw line. Barron was really awful for the Suns but I think he’s a better player than that and some team will likely pick him up and give him another chance.

The Phoenix Suns have acquired 33-year old SG Vince Carter, 26-year old center Marcin Gortat, 28-year old small forward Mickael Pietrus and a first round pick in 2011 from the Magic for 29-year old shooting guard Jason Richardson, 31-year old forward Hedo Turkoglu and 22-year old forward Earl Clark. I really think the Suns did well in this trade. Vince Carter played in 22 games (all starts) for the Magic this year and he averaged 30.2 minutes, 15.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He has now played in 874 games (866 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 36.9 minutes, 22.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Carter will replace Jason Richardson in the starting lineup. Marcin Gortat played in 25 games (2 starts) for the Magic this year and he averaged 15.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. Gortat has now played in 175 games (5 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 13.3 minutes, 3.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. Gortat has been stuck behind Dwight Howard but he has a huge upside and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him starting in the near future for the Suns who could use his rebounding and defense. Mickael Pietrus played in 19 games (0 starts) for the Magic this year and he was averaging 22.0 minutes, 6.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Pietrus has now played in 458 games (146 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 21.7 minutes, 8.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Pietrus is the kind of athlete and three point shooter who should fit right in with the Suns’ offensive system. The first round pick the Suns are getting from the Magic will likely be near the end of the round.

Jason Richardson was having his best season with the Suns. He played in 25 games (all starts) for the Suns this season and he was averaging 31.8 minutes, 19.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Richardson was also shooting a very solid 41.9% from the three point line this year. Hedo Turkoglu played in 25 games (16 starts) for the Suns this year and he was averaging 25.2 minutes, 9.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Turkoglu was shooting 42.3% from three point range so far this year. Earl Clark played in 9 games (0 starts) for the Suns this year and he was averaging 8.0 minutes, 3.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.

I really like this deal from the Suns’ end and I think Gortat is the key to the deal for them. He will bring toughness, rebounding and defense to the Suns’ frontcourt.

The Suns have signed 29-year old center Earl Barron. Barron played in 7 games (6 starts) for the Knicks last season and he averaged 33.1 minutes, 11.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Barron has now played in 89 games (21 starts) in his four years in the NBA and he is averaging 15.4 minutes, 5.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. The Suns hope that Barron gives them help inside until Robin Lopez is ready to return to action.