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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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images /

The young forwards

Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss need to show some real signs of life, now.

The only time either of them has been on any kind of leaderboard is when Chriss was second in the league in total personal fouls committed for the 2016-17 season, despite only playing 21 minutes per game. Impressive!

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    • In all seriousness though, they’re both entering their third season in the NBA, and it seems like this one will be make-or-break. Bender wasn’t great in Summer League which is more than a little concerning considering he was going up against mostly rookies and NBA cast-offs.

    Both Bender and Chriss are likely better as smallish-ball centers. The former lacks the requisite athleticism to guard perimeter players, and the latter is still unrefined and a poor shooter. However, with three other centers on the roster, it’s basically impossible to give them any minutes there.

    Bender shot well from deep last year, and Chriss rebounded well for a power forward. Right now, that’s pretty much the best I can say.

    I still gave them more minutes than most other bench players at 12 apiece, but I can’t afford to go any higher. The only reason I gave them this much is because of their high potential.  Let’s hope at least one of them shows up this year and starts to earn more minutes.

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