NBA: Ranking all 30 starting power forwards for 2018-19

19. Trevor Ariza, Phoenix Suns

Trevor Ariza spent some time at the 4 in small-ball lineups for the Houston Rockets last year, but P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute were usually there to ease the load. With a plethora of wings on the Phoenix Suns‘ roster, a new head coach in place, and underwhelming options at the 4 in Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss, Ariza might be facing a whole new challenge in 2018-19.

Will the Suns actually start the 6’8″ Ariza as a full-time power forward? Will he be able to handle the physical toll that comes with playing there on a nightly basis, or will Igor Kokoskov be creative enough with his lineups to spare the 14-year veteran from that kind of nightly grind?

It’s impossible to say at this point, but since we already slotted in T.J. Warren as the Suns’ starting 3, we’re sticking with Ariza making a full-time switch to the 4 during his one-year stay in Phoenix. He’s going to be one of the team’s best defenders and 3-point shooters right off the bat, but how he handles this change in responsibility is definitely reflected in his lower-than-expected ranking.