Phoenix Suns: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 preseason opener

2. Josh Jackson will be more of a playmaker this year

At Media Day and throughout training camp, Kokoskov has emphasized the importance of having secondary playmakers on the court. This not only perfectly fits in with his offensive system, but it helps make up for the lack of an established facilitator at the 1.

As both Kokoskov and general manager Ryan McDonough mentioned in the past few weeks, that means putting the ball in Josh Jackson‘s hands more and letting him create for others like the playmaking wing he was pegged to be throughout the draft process.

Though no one will be pencilling him in as Phoenix’s new starting point guard, Jackson finished the night with a team-high six assists in addition to his 17 points and five rebounds. The three turnovers indicate room for improvement, but he did play 33 minutes and took on more of a central playmaking role than he had during most of his rookie season.

"“We’ve said from day one that our strength should be on multiple ball-handlers,” Kokoskov said. “We have a lot of guys who can create on the floor and create for other people. If everybody can take a little bit of that role then I think it’s easier for the team to play.”"

His chemistry with Deandre Ayton was palpable from the start, and Jackson deftly manipulated a few pick-and-rolls to free up the No. 1 overall pick for easy lobs right at the rim.

"“I’ve been knowing this kid since I was like a freshman in high school, so just being around him so much, watching his game, I know that he’s a hard worker,” Jackson said. “He’s a competitor and when I’m coming down the lane and I know he’s on the side rolling to the basket, it’s a pretty easy decision for me.”"

Just taking a look at the highlights from Ayton’s impressive debut, it’s pretty easy to notice how often Jackson hit him with a pinpoint pass or a perfect lob over the top of the defense to make life easy for the seven-foot rookie.

"“[Jackson] is big on his bigs rolling to the basket,” Ayton said. “As soon as I screen and the ball’s in the air, I just got to go get it. That’s just Josh. He will find you. He just keeps telling me to keep seeing that I’m too big, nobody can really get around me and stuff like that.”"

Devin Booker is still probably Phoenix’s best playmaker, and the Suns definitely still need to trade for a established point guard, but don’t be surprised to see a lot more of Josh Jackson operating with the ball in his hands this year.