Throughout Phoenix Suns’ history, the position the franchise has continually fostered the most talent from is point guard.
From Gail Goodrich, to Kyle Macy; from Kevin Johnson to Jason Kidd; and from Steve Nash to Goran Dragic, the Phoenix Suns have almost always had a top flight point guard running the offense.
This reality continues to ring true in 2016-17, and as the roster currently stands, the position of point guard may actually make a run at the 1996-98 backcourt as the deepest it has ever been from starter, to the end of the bench.
The Strength of the point guard position
If healthy, Eric Bledsoe is potentially the fifth best point guard in the NBA. Brandon Knight was a near All-Star in Milwaukee just two seasons ago. Leandro Barbosa is a former starting point guard. Devin Booker showed flashes of his ability to lead the offense in a pinch his rookie season.
Archie Goodwin has been forced into the role of point guard in the past, and still remains the player with the most untapped potential on the roster. Tyler Ulis looked fantastic in the Summer League, and paired with Devin Booker, will play with a synergy not (supposedly) seen since the Morrii.
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Anyone of those six players could play the point guard position well on any team in the NBA. Only Bledsoe, Knight, and Booker have the capability to start as of today – and only Eric Bledsoe has shown the ability to be one of the best point guards in the league.
But regardless, all six hold value on the open market (although Leandro Barbosa’s trade value would undoubtedly be the lowest due to his age and contract) and likely five of the six would bring back at least one significant asset in return – whether an active player or draft picks – proving their value on the roster.
While as a whole point guard for the Phoenix Suns may not be considered one of the best in the league just yet, it is without a doubt the most talented position on the roster, and a position of strength with which to potentially move pieces to further strengthen the roster as a whole.