With the Phoenix Suns’ preseason schedule now set, the focus shifts to how Jordan Ott uses those five games. The cleanest path is also the most obvious one: treat the tune-ups like a continuation of Summer League and give the young players who already flashed some improvement a longer look.
That means the Suns should seriously consider opening a couple of games with Khaman Maluach. Phoenix still has every reason to bring the center along carefully, but a start or two would work as both a nod to his Summer League performance and a chance to see whether he can offer more once the regular season arrives.
The early returns have been encouraging, and putting a little pressure on Mark Williams’ starting spot would not be a bad thing at all. Williams is back on a three-year, $38 million deal, but that does not lock him into the role.
If Maluach can put together a few dominant stretches in preseason, the message becomes even clearer.
Rasheer Fleming is another name worth watching in the starting group at some point. The case for him is different.
Unlike Miles Bridges, who would likely draw a rough reaction from a lot of fans if he were pushed into the lineup right away, Fleming is a sophomore who showed real glimpses at Summer League and even in the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He also brings a distinct offensive package, the kind the Suns will want available over the grind of a full season.
Koa Peat is the one youngster who should not start, but he should still get more minutes than he will once the games count. The Aaron Gordon comparisons have created plenty of buzz, and he sounds like the type who will attack a preseason game with full seriousness. If he can show he can handle about 12 minutes a night and clean up rebounds on both ends, that would be a strong sign for his rookie year.
For Phoenix, the path to improvement has to come from inside the building. These three young players give the Suns a chance to see whether they can become a real part of a second unit that Collin Gillespie can run. There is quiet depth here, and preseason is the right time to start getting those pieces real game reps.
In Other News...
Suns May Have Just One Path Back To Contention
Phoenix spent much of last season leaning on defense, and that figure should still be the safest starting point for a team trying to claw its way back into contention. The Suns finished ninth in defensive rating and paired that with a half-court offense that, at its best, looked efficient enough to keep them afloat when the spacing and shot-making were right. Lineups featuring Collin Gillespie, Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Royce ONeale and Oso Ighodaro gave them a workable template, one built more on structure than flash.
Now the wrinkle is that ONeale is gone, sent to the Charlotte Hornets, and Miles Bridges is in his place. Bridges brings a very different offensive profile, one that was boosted in Charlotte by the presence of LaMelo Ball and comes with its own questions about consistency from deep. For Phoenix, the real issue is whether that change helps preserve the balance that made the group functional, or nudges the offense into a less predictable shape just as the Suns are trying to stay anchored by their defense. [Read more 🡒]
Suns Put Former First Round Pick Under Real Preseason Pressure
The Suns have their preseason slate in place, and for a few players, that means every minute on the floor is suddenly a tryout. Ryan Dunn is among the names to watch closest. The third-year forward and former first-round pick has not yet carved out a clear role on the roster, which leaves him in a familiar but uncomfortable spot as camp turns into a real evaluation period.
Preseason games are often about rhythm and conditioning, but for Dunn they carry more weight than that. The coaching staff will use those appearances to decide whether he fits into the long-term picture, and his playing time will tell plenty about where he stands. For a team trying to settle its depth chart, that kind of uncertainty makes every possession matter a little more. [Read more 🡒]