According to a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday, Drew Eubanks has decided to decline his player option of $2.7 million for the 2024-25 season with the Phoenix Suns. This move will make him a free agent this offseason.
Drew Eubanks, 27, served as a backup center for the Suns during the 2023-24 season, appearing in 75 games and starting six after joining the team on a veteran’s minimum contract. He played an average of 15.6 minutes per game behind starting center Jusuf Nurkic, contributing 5.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Despite the Suns’ efforts to utilize Eubanks as an athletic big man who excels in rolling to the rim, his defensive shortcomings reportedly prevented him from fully gaining the trust of the coaching staff led by Frank Vogel. In critical moments, such as during an elimination game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix opted not to use Eubanks, emphasizing their defensive concerns.
In terms of on-court impact, Eubanks had a slightly negative on-court plus-minus of -1.4, placing him among the team’s least effective rotation players in that regard. However, his off-court plus-minus was notably positive at 4.4, indicating a favorable impact when he was not playing.
Eubanks, who went undrafted out of Oregon State, spent his first few NBA seasons with the San Antonio Spurs before joining the Portland Trail Blazers for part of the 2021-22 season. During his stint with the Trail Blazers, he showcased his potential with averages of 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in a prominent role.
However, his role diminished upon joining the Suns, where financial constraints led to him signing a veteran’s minimum deal. Despite the inclusion of a player option for the 2024-25 season, Eubanks has opted to explore his options in free agency, seeking a potentially more stable role elsewhere in the league.
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