Phoenix Suns starting lineup: Locks, fringe, potential break-ins
Following a terrific offseason that has identified the Phoenix Suns as a legitimate threat, let’s analyze how the starting lineup should take shape.
The Phoenix Suns were one of the most successful teams this offseason with all the influential moves made to boost its roster. From the trade market to the 2020 NBA Draft to free agency, the Suns completely nailed it.
Headlined by the acquisition of 10-time All-Star Chris Paul from the OKC Thunder, general manager James Jones and the Suns’ front office were real busy this offseason, and it seems that their detail-oriented work will certainly pay dividends. Trading for Paul made too much sense for an organization that hasn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2010, and now they’ve placed themselves in a position to finally taste the postseason once again.
After adding the future Hall of Fame point guard to the roster along with forward Abdel Nader via trade, the Suns would go ahead and select versatile forward Jalen Smith out of Maryland with the No. 10 overall pick in the NBA Draft, and would later sign undrafted rookie Ty-Shon Alexander from Creighton to a two-way contract.
During free agency, Phoenix would strike gold again by winning the race for veteran 3-and-D specialist Jae Crowder while also inking the signatures of E’Twaun Moore (one-year, $2.3 million), Langston Galloway (one-year, $2.0 million), and Damian Jones (two-year, $3.7 million non-guaranteed contract).
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On top of that, the Suns would reach an agreement to re-sign both restricted free agents Dario Saric and Jevon Carter, who both seemed to play an impactful role for the team on and off the court last year.
Saric and Carter would join rising superstar Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Cameron Payne as the only players returning to the Phoenix Suns from last season.
Phoenix would part ways with Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, Aron Baynes, Frank Kaminsky, Cheick Diallo, Elie Okobo, and Tariq Owens.
It’s clear that head coach Monty Williams and the Phoenix Suns are steadily increasing the winning culture in the desert by improving the depth chart and personnel, so let’s dive into what the projected starting lineup should look like with the certain locks, players on the fringe of being a starter, and who the potential break-ins could be as the 2020-21 NBA season looms closer.