Once again, Kurt Thomas will be watching the Phoenix Suns’ high-powered attack from the bench.

Thomas will be sidelined approximately four to six weeks due to a left elbow injury suffered in the first quarter of Monday’s 137-122 win at Memphis. He will wear a brace to control the motion of the elbow during healing, it was determined after an examination on Tuesday by team physician Tom Carter.

The real question is who is available for the Suns to try to pick up in a trade to bolster their front line. There is F Melvin Ely from the Bobcats who has requested a trade but he is making $3M, has an expiring contract and the Bobcats don’t want to take on any addition payroll in a deal so dealing Banks for Ely doesn’t make sense. The Pistons with the signing of F Chris Webber today are looking to deal one of their big men and want a PG in the exchange. That means there could be a third stint with the Suns for F/C Antonio McDyess in a dealing unloading PG Marcus Banks contract. The Pistons also have F/C Dale Davis and C Nazr Mohammed who could be available because of the signing.

All of these deals could potentially help the Suns fill the void for the next 4 to 6 weeks but the real question is would Coach D actually play any of them. Overall the best bet would be to play Jumaine Jones and Jalen Rose more over the next 4 to 6 weeks to hopefully get them involved in the offense in order to make the rotation a 10 man rotation come playoff time. It would benefit both Jones and Rose and the Suns to have them playing and have them contributing to the team.

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