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Phoenix Suns: Projecting the 2018-19 rotation

By Luke Swiatek

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 6: The Phoenix Suns huddle before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 6, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 6: The Phoenix Suns huddle before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on April 6, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images /

The backup guards

Let me start by saying that I wanted to give Okobo more than eight minutes. I’m also a Philadelphia 76ers fan, and I was furious that they took Landry Shamet over Elie Okobo at No. 26 overall.

I valued Okobo as a late teens-early 20s talent, so getting him in the second round is quite a steal for the Suns.

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However, I imagine he’ll be a bit raw early on. Additionally, I’d like to try out Knight at the point guard first, and see if he can be “fixed,” if for no other reason than to make him a tradeable asset.

The main reason I only gave Knight and Okobo a combined 36 minutes, though, is that it leaves 12 minutes a game for Devin Booker to be the point guard. Refining his ball-handling and shot creation for teammates is the next step in his evolution, and this help.

I wouldn’t want to throw him in the fire right away and make him the starting point guard, but 12 minutes a game as the sole ball-handler can help his development into becoming a combo guard.

The best shooting guards in the league – James Harden, Bradley Beal, CJ McCollum. – can run the point if necessary.

The ones that aren’t really lead ball-handlers, like Klay Thompson or Jimmy Butler, are lock-down defenders. I don’t think Booker will ever be that, so becoming a true combo guard is what he needs to do.

Troy Daniels gets the nod as the other main backup guard (though he only receives eight minutes per game) because of his lights-out shooting. He’s shot more than 40 percent from deep on his career, and shot exactly 40 percent last season.

With so many poor shooters in the frontcourt (and some on the wing in Warren and Jackson) the Phoenix Suns will need as much shooting as they can get, so his defensive shortcomings can be tolerated.

The only reason I don’t have Daniels getting more minutes is because the players on the wings should definitely be playing over him.

Davon Reed and Isaiah Canaan have performed well in Summer League and last year respectively, but they were the 14th and 15th additions to the roster. I imagine they start in the G-League and don’t get significant playing time until an injury occurs.

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