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Suns 5-On-5: Breaking Down The New Look

By Gavin Schall

Nov 10, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns mascot the Gorilla interacts with fans during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at US Airways Center. The Suns beat the Pelicans 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns mascot the Gorilla interacts with fans during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at US Airways Center. The Suns beat the Pelicans 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mirza Teletovic (33) goes up for the shot against Sacramento Kings forward Derrick Williams (13) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Mirza Teletovic (33) goes up for the shot against Sacramento Kings forward Derrick Williams (13) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

4) If Markieff is traded before the season who opens the year as the starting power forward?

Bourguet:  Whomever the Suns are able to scrounge up in a trade, most likely. You might wonder if the Suns are even capable of acquiring a starting-caliber PF in a Keef trade at this point, but that’s exactly the point: general manager Ryan McDonough won’t be trading Markieff Morris unless he finds the right deal. So if he DOES make a trade before the season starts, it’s highly unlikely he’ll be getting back a player incapable of starting over Mirza Teletovic and Jon Leuer.

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    • Schall:  I’ll argue the merits of Mirza Teletovic until my face turns blue. Unless the Suns get back a talented 4 in whatever deal they can finagle for Morris, he should start. Though he didn’t show it last season, at his best Teletovic is the floor spacer this offense so desperatly needs and Tyson Chandler can make up for his limitations on the other end. There’s an argument to be made for T.J. Warren at this spot, but I’d prefer he just start at the 3 over P.J. Tucker.

    Chasen:  Mirza would be the obvious choice. You could make an argument for T.J. Warren playing the small-ball 4, or even Alex Len if the Suns went with the twin towers look, but Mirza is the next best power forward so I would say him. That being said, there’s also a realistic chance the Suns would be getting back a player who could start, so [insert player name here] seems like a good choice as well.

    Taucher:  Either Mirza Teletovic or whoever Morris gets traded for. Mirza can be the exact same thing Channing Frye was. He provides some spacing and can be used to run pick-and-pop. Markieff or someone more well-rounded than Mirza would be better, but if there’s no other option, he can fit well with the current starting group.

    Harris:  If Markieff isn’t on the team at the beginning of the season then T.J. Warren will be the starting power forward for Phoenix. Warren came on strong at the end of last season and is just oozing with potential. I think this will be a breakout year for Warren and the exodus of Markieff will just give Warren more opportunities to shine.

    Next: No. 5

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