3. Is it time for the Suns to commit to a youth movement the rest of this season, or do you keep trying to fight for a playoff berth?
Bourguet: Keep fighting for now. They’re only 2.5 games out of the playoff picture even after two straight losses. Plus, the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Gerald Green’s recent struggles mean Archie Goodwin should get minutes. Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Alex Len represent the core and are already in the starting rotation. If Jeff Hornacek can find a way to get T.J. Warren minutes, that’s really the only other gripe the “youth movement” advocates would have. Fight for the playoffs until the season is over, but it’s not like doing so has to keep the young guys on the bench.
Chasen: Here’s the deal. The Suns haven’t been able to have a day just to practice with everyone there, so to say they have no chance of the playoffs is probably premature, but I think there’s a way to balance the two. I would play the young players more, but I wouldn’t actively try to tank at this point.
Hann: Youth Movement! Youth Movement! There is ZERO point in Phoenix trying for a playoff berth that will culminant in a first round sweep. Having said that, after watching this team play since the trade deadline, they are likely to miss the playoffs no matter what direction they go in. Another season without playoff basketball in the valley is disappointing, but picking another young talented player in the lottery is not. Archie Goodwin, TJ Warren and Reggie Bullock all need serious minutes over these last 21 games.
Saar: I don’t think those are necessarily mutually exclusive. They should definitely fight the rest of the season for a playoff spot because (I’ll keep repeating it) I’ve heard that one playoff series, no matter how long is worth half a season of development. That’s worth it.
At this point Green’s upside isn’t worth the downside, in terms of mental mistakes. He’ll make about the same number of mistakes as Archie Goodwin, but Archie brings more energy and a certain spark to the team. He should be the first one off the bench. But you still have to play Marcus Morris and P.J. Tucker though. They need the reps for crunch time situations.
Harris: Just because the team has one bad week doesn’t mean they should stop vying for the playoffs. They’re not 10 games back, they could go on a 3-game winning streak and all of a sudden they are right back in the thick of it.