Phoenix Suns: The pros and cons of starting Devin Booker at point guard

The Phoenix Suns desperately need an upgrade at point guard. Until they can land one in the draft or free agency, empowering Devin Booker might be the best option.

The Phoenix Suns have a laundry list of problems, but their play at the point guard spot so far this season leaves the taste of detergent in one’s mouth.

Eric Bledsoe was traded three games into the season. Mike James, the first two-way contract to ever land an actual NBA deal, is already gone. All the Suns have now are second-year guard Tyler Ulis and the recently signed Isaiah Canaan, neither of whom are starting-caliber point guards.

Well, maybe that’s not all the Suns have at the point.

Playing Devin Booker at the 1 started as an in-game adjustment to make it easier to get him the ball, but as he’s continued to show signs of improved playmaking and ball-handling, the idea of moving him there permanently — or at least, until the Suns find a legitimate floor general in the draft or free agency — has recently gained momentum.

With the Suns’ de facto point guards struggling so mightily and interim head coach Jay Triano resorting to Booker-led lineups more and more often, it’s a question worth asking: Should Phoenix consider molding its 21-year-old franchise star into more of a James Harden shape?

It’d be a bold move to make, even in a lost season, but with Ulis floundering in the starting role and Devin Booker facing double-teams every night regardless of what position he’s playing, it’s worth examining the pros and cons of playing him at the 1.