The Phoenix Suns made a lot of moves this off-season. One of those moves was the addition of Keita Bates-Diop. Bates-Diop was the 48th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!He did not get that much playing time as a rookie. In his second season he was traded from Minnesota to the Denver Nuggets. Bates-Diop spent his last three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs. Last season he got his most playing time.
The former Ohio State Buckeye averaged 9.7 points per game and shot 50% from the floor and 39% from three. He also really showed his versatility on the defensive end of the floor.
keita bates-diop's defense is fun to watch pic.twitter.com/mPfxwgZdzA
— damon (@iamdamonallred) October 6, 2023
This play does a great job of showing Bates-Diop’s speed, length, and versatility.
The Suns getting Keita Bates-Diop, a 6'8 3&D wing who is elite on defense and shot 39.4% from 3pt last season, will turn out to be the key to them winning a championship next season 🔐🏆 pic.twitter.com/Jl81VmsHTp
— Suns Run The West (@DubSuns) August 8, 2023
Keita Bates-Diop may have a chance to get the fifth starter spot. He does a great job of spacing the floor with his shooting and also cutting to the rim when the defense loses track of him. That may happen a lot as Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal attract all of the attention of the defense.
The five year veteran talked about what makes him unique as a player.
"My length is the biggest thing. I am comfortable switching on to bigger players." – Keita Bates-Diop on what seperates him from other wing defenders
— Burn City Suns Talk 🎙️ (@BurnCitySuns) October 6, 2023
Bates-Diop is well aware of what makes him special as a player and will be the player to watch in the preseason because of it.
