Brandon Knight Re-Signs with Suns: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

Brandon Knight had a whirlwind 2014-15 season in which he didn't get a long-term contract extension from the Milwaukee Bucks and got traded to the Phoenix Suns in February. Now, the 23-year-old has taken some control of his career after signing a deal to remain in Phoenix.  

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported the point guard signed a five-year, $70 million deal Wednesday. David Aldridge of NBA.com heard from a source that said the Suns would not be trading Eric Bledsoe in the wake of the signing.

The former Kentucky star told Paul Coro of AZCentral.com in April that he was hoping to return to Phoenix even though he understands there were various factors at play:

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If it can be quick and easy, that's the best thing. You don't want to go through a fight or anything like that or you don't want to drag it out as well. Definitely don't want anything that leads up to training camp. For me, it's just about doing what's best for me and my family and the Suns will do the same. I'm optimistic about the situation. I like it here. I like the way I've been treated so far. Top-class organization. I'm looking forward to a future with the Suns.

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With a new coaching staff in Milwaukee, Knight became expendable at the trade deadline. The Suns were there to take advantage, though he did struggle in 11 games with the team, averaging just 13.4 points on 35.7 percent shooting with 4.5 assists. 

Knight's season ended prematurely after he underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery April 17.

Sean Deveney of the Sporting News reported in April that Knight was seeking a contract in the $48 million range over four years while with the Bucks:

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In discussing an extension last year, the Bucks held the line on Knight at $9 million per year, where Knight wanted something in the range of four years and $48 million. It will might take a little more to sign Knight this summer, given his improvement in his time with Milwaukee, and the fact that he could always sign a qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent, which would set him up for the summer of 2016 TV-money bonanza.

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It's hard to evaluate a player like Knight at this exact point in his career. He looked much better with Milwaukee when the season started, shooting 40.9 percent from three-point range with a career-high 5.4 assists per game before being dealt. 

The ankle issue certainly hindered Knight's play, and an 11-game sample is impossible to properly judge a player. He's only 23 years old and has shown signs of turning into a solid NBA guard at various points in his career. 

Knight may never be a star who can live up to being the eighth overall pick in a draft in which Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard were taken after him, but he has the skills to be a very good player in the league for a long time to come. 

Stats via Basketball-Reference.com.