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Pacific Division: 5 Burning Questions for the 2016-17 Season

By Josh Cornelissen

November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; (From left) Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe , guard Devin Booker and guard Brandon Knight pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; (From left) Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe , guard Devin Booker and guard Brandon Knight pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Which Point Guard Will the Phoenix Suns Trade?

Phoenix was a rising star in the West, a team suddenly gelling around a double point guard lineup and bigs who could space the floor. They missed the 2014 playoffs, but the next season was supposed to be their return to the playoffs.

Instead the Suns crashed hard, unable to sustain the offensive magic of that 48-win season. Trying to recreate the spark, they have continued to load up on offensively gifted guards. The dam broke once, and the team shipped out Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas. The backcourt is filled to bursting point again, and the team will need to make a move to alleviate it.

Devin Booker is the untouchable player on the roster. He was a standout as a rookie, scoring 13.8 points per game en route to a 1st-team All-Rookie berth. Booker is fearless as a shooter and driver, and scored from all spots on the court. Defensively he has work to do, but he is clearly a franchise cornerstone for Phoenix.

That leaves five more guards who all deserve – or at least feel they deserve – playing time. Eric Bledsoe is the most accomplished of the group, but is coming off his third knee injury. Brandon Knight can score 20 points per night with ease, but is a turnstile on defense.

Archie Goodwin filled in last year in the place of injured starters, and showed off the speed and athleticism that excited Kentucky fans years ago. Tyler Ulis is diminutive but an elite playmaker who made waves in Summer League; is he a long-term answer for Phoenix? And Leandro Barbosa was signed to add a veteran presence to the locker room, but he didn’t come to stand outside the rotation.

Knight and Bledsoe both need time to improve their value, which means early on Ulis and Goodwin will see the short straw. If both stay healthy, the Suns will most likely look to move Brandon Knight. Bledsoe’s size and defensive ability make him a better fit alongside the defensively-challenged Booker.

The team also could decide to deploy Knight as a combo guard off the bench, and deal Goodwin or Ulis as young players with upside. The choice the team should not make is trying to play three guards at once; Phoenix fans have already witnessed that ill-fated maneuver.

Must Read: Los Angeles Lakers: Best Move They Did, Didn't Make

In the end Phoenix is not playing for a postseason berth, and instead needs to develop and organize their rotation. How things shake out by the end of the season will do a lot to inform their chances of real success in the years to come.