Preseason answers for Suns' rotation.

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00:00Welcome, and thank you for joining me today. The NBA preseason should be approached with caution,

00:06akin to viewing it through a lens of skepticism, particularly considering that a significant

00:10portion of the Phoenix Suns' preparation for the 2025-26 season took place internationally.

00:16Nonetheless, we are analyzing the nuances and making educated guesses about what the

00:21preseason under first-year coach Jordan Ott reveals about the team's dynamics,

00:25regarding their playing style, the construction of the roster and the performance during the

00:29preseason align with expectations. This iteration of the Suns is characterized by a younger lineup

00:35that emphasizes on-ball defense. The team aims to compensate for any overzealousness with relentless

00:41effort, focusing on deflections, stops and steals to facilitate fast breaks and capitalize on early

00:47offensive opportunities, particularly from beyond the arc. Throughout their 3-1 preseason record,

00:52the Suns achieved the third-highest number of steals per 100 possessions and ranked ninth in

00:58block rate across the NBA as of Wednesday morning. They also placed fifth in preseason defensive

01:04rating. However, their offensive statistics were more average compared to the league overall,

01:09although it is notable. The Phoenix Suns ranked seventh in assists per 100 possessions,

01:14which supports the observation that their ball movement is effective. Additionally, they were among

01:19the top five teams, in terms of turnover rate, and were the most foul-prone team in the league.

01:24These statistics are understandable, given that the team is both aggressive and relatively

01:29inexperienced. However, it's important to take these findings with caution. What insights can we

01:33gather about the players on this newly structured roster? We have a clear understanding of the key

01:38rotation players. Devin Booker stands out as the primary player. Once they return to full health,

01:44Jalen Green and Mark Williams are expected to enhance the lineup significantly. The wing positions

01:49will be anchored by the controversial Dylan Brooks and second-year player Ryan Dunn, rounding out the

01:55anticipated starting five. Beyond these players, the Suns indicated during media day that Grayson

02:01Allen's efforts over the summer have positioned him to play a significant role, making him a crucial

02:06shooter off the bench, alongside Booker and Green. We should also consider Royce O'Neal as having a

02:11dependable shooter who can also defend is always valuable. With these additions, we now have a total of

02:17seven players identified. This is likely where we finalize the day one rotation. From this point,

02:22there are various directions we can take. Colin Gillespie has established himself as the backup

02:27point guard, as indicated by his playing time in the first three preseason games and the rest he

02:32received during the preseason finale on Tuesday. With Williams unavailable, Oso Iguodaro notably took

02:40the starting center position in the first three preseason games. It appears that this team plans to

02:45make use of a deeper bench with various options available. The question remains, will Kaman Maluak

02:52be included in the center rotation? Throughout the three preseason games, Kaman Maluak seemed to be on

02:59the periphery of the lineup. Iguodaro started as a smaller, aggressive player who effectively moved the

03:04ball. Meanwhile, Nick Richards made a strong case for being another option as a physical presence and a

03:10significant rebounder. At times, Maluak appeared to be a bit slow in his defensive reads and rushed his

03:16offensive attempts. However, getting a starting opportunity against the Lakers on Tuesday allowed

03:22Maluak to quickly find his rhythm. He finished the game shooting 8 for 10, scoring 17 points, and making a

03:29significant impact. The Lakers starters effectively executed pick-and-roll plays, showcasing their skills

03:36alongside Luka Doncic and former Suns number one pick DeAndre Ayton, even hitting a smooth three-pointer.

03:43Currently, it remains uncertain whether Maluak will receive consistent backup minutes, or if the Suns

03:48will adopt a rotation at center based on matchups. Suns fans should be ready for a gradual introduction

03:54of their highly regarded rookie. However, if the performance in the last preseason game is any

03:59indication, he may quickly adapt and earn significant playing time. The Suns are facing challenges at the

04:04jumbo wing position. While some refer to it as power forward, the term jumbo wing seems more fitting in

04:10the current basketball landscape. The Suns have acknowledged their need to improve rebounding,

04:15with Brooks and Dunn expected to contribute in this area. It's worth noting that Gillespie and

04:19Jordan Goodwin, both point guards, are underrated when it comes to rebounding. Brooks tends to be an

04:24inconsistent shooter, and Dunn still needs to demonstrate that he can reach league-average shooting

04:29percentages for the team's spacing to be effective. Consequently, fans can anticipate some rough

04:35shooting performances from both players. This season, the team's defense is expected to play a

04:40crucial role in their performance. A key question is whether Dunn will emerge as a top-level defender,

04:46capable of guarding a range of players from point guards to power forwards. Alternatively, will the team

04:53need to rely on someone else to take on the challenges posed by players like Shea Gilgis-Alexander

04:58and Steph Curry. Additionally, there are uncertainties regarding who will actually receive

05:04playing time. O'Neal has the ability to play at a higher position, but it's clear why the Phoenix

05:10Suns made significant efforts to acquire Rashear Fleming in the second round of the draft.

05:15The Suns also brought in Nigel Hayes-Davis from overseas, yet his preseason performance raised more

05:21questions than it answered. Concerns have been noted regarding the decision-making skills of both the

05:26rookie and the EuroLeague veteran, as they seemed to excel more in catch-and-shoot situations rather

05:32than creating their own shots. On the defensive side, Fleming's impressive length was frequently

05:37highlighted during the preseason, suggesting he should be given serious consideration for playing

05:43time, as emphasized by Kellen Olsen, co-host of the Empire of the Suns podcast on Tuesday night.

05:51There were moments when he was out of position, yes. However, he demonstrated his ability to recover

05:58by hustling to catch up with players from behind. It's worth considering that Iguodaro might play the

06:03power-forward position, similar to his role in the Summer League, but the current NBA demands more

06:08shooting than he can provide. Additionally, Isaiah Livers, who is on a two-way contract, could play a

06:14significant role here due to his proven track record and his ability to shoot effectively.

06:18Now, let's discuss the backup point guard situation. Over the last two seasons the team has faced

06:24challenges, first due to the absence of a point guard and later because the starting point guard,

06:29who was expected to be a solution, lost his position. These issues can be attributed to a

06:33mix of coaching shortcomings and the difficulty of integrating three on-ball scorers who haven't been

06:38able to work well together. During the preseason, the Suns demonstrated how to operate without a

06:43traditional point guard while managing to keep Booker from overexerting himself. However, if Green is

06:49out for an extended period beyond the initial games of the regular season, they may have to rely more

06:55heavily on Booker. The ball will be brought past the half-court line by Malouac, following Brooks and

07:00Dunn, and from that point, the entire team is responsible for executing the offense. This may seem

07:05straightforward, and so far, it has appeared effective. However, the Phoenix team has strategically

07:11filled the back end of their roster with a range of point guard options, similar to their approach with

07:16the center position. Gillespie aims to emulate a lighter version of TJ McConnell, providing defensive

07:22pressure along with a scoring ability that poses a threat for the Suns. Goodwin is expected to be

07:28utilized against players like Steph Curry or Shea Gilgis-Alexander for 15 to 20 minutes each game, serving as a

07:34strategy to wear them down. Meanwhile, Jared Butler offers a quick shooting option that can complement

07:39the team's play. The decision on whether both Goodwin and Butler will secure spots on the final roster

07:44remains uncertain. Below, is the depth chart. Guards. Devin Booker. Colin Gillespie. Jordan Goodwin.

07:53Jared Butler. Guards. Jalen Green. Grayson Allen Forwards. Ryan Dunn. Royce O'Neal. Forwards. Dylan Brooks.

08:03Nigel Hayes-Davis. Rashear Fleming-Centers. Mark Williams. Oso Iguodaro. Nick Richards. Common Malawak

08:11two-way players. Kobe Brea. Isaiah Livers. CJ. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Suns' new roster

08:18in the comments below.

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