Phoenix Suns starting lineup: Locks, fringe, potential break-ins

Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup: Locks

Not much is expected to change within the Phoenix Suns starting lineup that went 8-0 in the bubble besides the new and improved addition at the point guard position. The Suns are coming off a trip to Orlando where they exceeded expectations, and they’ll look to pick up right where they left off with a similar, yet even better starting unit to begin this season.

Monty Williams should have just one key decision to make regarding the starters, so four players should already be absolute locks to start for the Suns.

Chris Paul

Following an exceptional season with the OKC Thunder in which he posted averages of 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game on 48.9 percent field goals while exceeding expectations by earning the fifth seed in the playoffs, Chris Paul will look to defy the odds again by leading the Phoenix Suns this time around. The 35-year-old floor general has proved that he’s still one of the best at his position, and now he’ll have another great opportunity to thrive in the desert valley. Phoenix will certainly value the addition of the “Point God” in terms of success and development within their growing culture.

Devin Booker

Phoenix’s 24-year-old rising star, Devin Booker, is bound to have another spectacular season after earning his first All-Star appearance last year. Booker should excel once again, especially with the arrival of CP3 as his partner in the backcourt, as the Suns push for a postseason berth. With Booker locked in under contract as a Phoenix Sun long-term, he’ll be the driving force of how far the Suns go this season and throughout the near future.

Mikal Bridges

Mikal Bridges broke his way into the starting lineup last season and never looked back. He ended up starting 32 games for the Suns while proving his abilities on both ends of the floor. Mostly known for his defensive presence, Bridges will complement Booker, Paul and Ayton effectively, but his starting role gained traction based on his improvements shooting the basketball. Along with averaging 1.4 steals per game last season, he shot 51.0 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from beyond the arc. He’ll be a starter at one of the forward positions again as long as that trend continues. Entering his third NBA season now, Mikal Bridges should be a lock to start alongside Phoenix’s deadly trio.

Deandre Ayton

There seems to be high expectations for Deandre Ayton this season as the 22-year-old big man enters his third season as well. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick hasn’t experienced much winning so far in his NBA career, but this is the year where it should all change. With the opportunity to now play beside Chris Paul, Ayton should be able to consistently put up big numbers and excel at his role each night. The Suns have recently done an excellent job building around he and Booker and surrounding them with complementary pieces, so it’s time Ayton ultimately proves why he was a first overall pick.