Monte Morris offered ball security, but not enough to win over Mike Budenholzer.
Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series, where we take a closer look at each player who suited up during the 2024–25 campaign. One by one, we’ll break down what went right, what went wrong, and what each player can do to take the next step heading into next season.
When the Phoenix Suns signed Monte Morris in free agency last offseason, it felt like a smart, measured move. After all, the 2023–24 Suns sorely lacked anything resembling quality point guard play. Morris, known for his impeccable assist-to-turnover ratio—the “Count of Monte Assist/TO”—was supposed to bring stability to a position that had been in disarray. It felt like a step in the right direction.
But then came Tyus Jones. A player whose skill set mirrors Morris’ in many ways, only with a higher profile and a promise from head coach Mike Budenholzer that he would be the starter. Suddenly, the calculus changed.
The Disease of What If starts to creep in when you think about what could’ve been if Morris had gotten a longer leash. In his limited time, he looked every bit the quality contributor he was expected to be. He was a steady hand with a bit more defensive grit than Jones, even if he shares the same size limitations. Maybe, if given more consistent minutes, he would’ve run into the same issues. Maybe not.
Either way, Morris feels like a victim of the Suns’ broader roster mismanagement, both at the front office level and on the bench. He never really had a chance to leave his fingerprints on the season. And no, he wouldn’t have been the magic fix for all the Suns’ problems. But it sure would’ve been nice to see a little more of Monte.
Monte Morris
- Position: Point Guard
- Vitals: 6’2”, 183pounds, 29 years old
- Experience: 7 years
- Stats: 45 GP, 5.2 PPG (42.6 FG%, 36.0 FT%), 1.5 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.5 TO
Contract Details
Morris signed a one-year, $2.1 million veteran minimum salary and will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Phoenix does not have his Bird rights.
Regular Season Recap
As the season tipped off, Monte Morris was a regular part of the Phoenix Suns’ rotation. He wasn’t logging heavy minutes, but when he was on the floor, he made a positive impact.
Through the Suns’ first 48 games, Morris appeared in 38 of them, averaging five points, 1.7 assists, and just 0.4 turnovers across 13 minutes per night. Off the bench, he gave the team a steady hand, scoring 12 points on four different occasions and reaching double figures in eight of his 45 total appearances.
However, his struggles from deep—shooting just 30.4% from beyond the arc—became a growing concern. Eventually, Morris was phased out of the rotation entirely. Over the Suns’ final 34 games, he suited up in just seven.
Biggest Strength
Ball security was Monte Morris’ calling card, and the primary reason Phoenix brought him in. He’s decisive with the ball, controlled in his dribble, and deliberate in his reads — a stark contrast to the cross-court gamble passes that plagued so many of his teammates. Morris wasn’t looking to score when he attacked matchups; he was simply trying to set up the offense, to move pieces into the right places.
Defensively, he held his own. Morris posted a 108.3 defensive rating on the season. Not elite, but respectable, especially considering he logged just 571 minutes and spent much of that time running with the mop-up squad.
For what he was asked to do, he did it well.
Biggest Weakness
From an archetype standpoint, the main concern with Monte Morris is his size. He’s a small guard, even if he does bring a little physicality to the table.
From a skill set perspective, his three-point shooting took a noticeable step back. Morris shot just 36% from deep this season, a dip from the 42.4% mark he posted with the Timberwolves the year before. For a team that desperately needed floor-spacing and shooting from its backup guards, that regression mattered.
Likelihood of Return: 5
This one’s tough to gauge. With Tyus Jones likely on his way out, the door could open for the Suns to re-sign Monte Morris, keeping a steady ball-handler on the roster.
But will Morris want to return? Did his brief stint in Phoenix boost his value on the open market? Or will he look back on a season marred by dysfunction and decide he’s better off elsewhere? That’s why I have to put this at a five. Right down the middle. It feels like a true 50/50 shot that the Suns bring him back.
Overall Grade: C
Monte Morris never really got much of a chance to make an impact on the Suns this season. You can point the finger at Mike Budenholzer, but some of it falls on Morris too. What Budenholzer saw day after day in practice clearly didn’t convince him to keep Morris in the regular rotation. He lost his spot as the coach grasped for answers, searching for a winning combination. And in Bud’s eyes? Morris wasn’t part of it.
Morris is an average player, the kind who can help you survive an 82-game grind and make a positive impact along the way. He’s proven that before. In Phoenix, it just didn’t click. Could that be corrected next season if the Suns bring him back? That’ll come down to how the front office sees its vision for the roster and whether Morris fits into it. If you’re looking for a steady identity piece, though, Morris still feels like the kind of guy who can fill that role.
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