The NBA offseason has wasted no time to stir up drama, with bigger trades and roster shakeups which had dominated the headlines. One of the most talked-about moves this summer was the seven-team deal that sent Kevin Durant from Phoenix to Houston, which has triggered a massive chain reaction across the league.
Caught in the middle of that whirlwind was 26-year-old guard Daeqwon Plowden.
Initially part of the multi-team transaction that also involved players like Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green, Plowden was sent from the Atlanta Hawks to the Phoenix Suns. His stint in Arizona, however, was short-lived. Just a few days after landing in Phoenix, the Suns waived Plowden from his two-way deal, according to reports from RealGM.
Plowden had only recently made his NBA debut with the Hawks, where he posted respectable numbers, averaging 7.2 points in 12 minutes across six appearances. Before that, he spent time developing in the G League and building a reputation as a high-energy contributor.
His brief stay in Phoenix was part of a larger roster reshuffle for the Suns, who are coming off a disappointing 36–46 season. The franchise appears committed to a youth movement centered around Jalen Green and Devin Booker, with CBS Sports that had reported that Phoenix is focused on building a new identity around its young stars.
By waiving Plowden, the Suns open up a two-way contract slot, giving them more flexibility as they reshape their roster. For Plowden, the move puts him back on the market as an unrestricted free agent, leaving the door open for another NBA chance—or potentially a move overseas.
With solid G League performances under his belt and brief flashes at the NBA level, the 26-year-old will be hoping another opportunity comes soon.
