Suns Sign the Other Griffin

In the 2009 NBA Draft, every team wanted Blake Griffin. The number one overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers is projected by some scouts to be a superstar in the making. With the 48th overall pick, the Phoenix Suns went with the next best thing by drafting Taylor Griffin — Blake’s older brother.

The 6-foot-7 forward will be transitioning to playing out on the perimeter in the NBA. During summer league, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.0 assists per game. Last year playing with his brother on the Oklahoma Sooners, he averaged 9.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest.

While the Suns might like his talent, there is also financial motivation for this move. Since he’s a second round pick, they can sign him to the smallest deal allowable in the NBA. With the luxury tax looming, saving every possible penny is good news for Phoenix.

Expect this Griffin to be playing in Iowa for at least part of the season so that the Suns can get a look at him in the NBA D-League. If he can improve his outside shooting and his ballhandling, he may eventually be known for something other than being Blake Griffin’s older brother.

Taylor Griffin and Blake Griffin (Image: Zuma Press)