How will free agency affect Elie Okobo’s role with the Suns?

Brandon Knight is already on the roster, and the Phoenix Suns are looking to sign another point guard. What does that mean for Elie Okobo?

Yesterday, we looked at whether or not the Suns should trust Brandon Knight with the starting point guard job. Today, let’s look at what that could mean for rookie point guard Elie Okobo.

The Suns seem poised to add another point guard to the roster, maybe someone of the likes of Marcus Smart or Fred VanVleet. Competing for minutes with two veterans will definitely limit the playing time Okobo gets off the bat, but that could be a good thing.

The Suns have made it clear they believe in Okobo as a piece of the puzzle going forward. Even though as a second rounder Okobo is not on the rookie scale, the team still signed him to a contract resembling one a late first rounder would get. That shows not only do the Suns have faith in Elie Okobo, but that they want him to know it.

The push to make Okobo feel appreciated could be an indicator that he might not get very much playing time off the bat. And that makes sense, considering he’ll likely be third on the depth chart by the time the opening day roster is released. But that doesn’t mean Okobo won’t be good down the line.

Point guard is a very tough position for a rookie to play. Even guys who look good off the bat usually still average astronomical turnover numbers. So giving Okobo minimal minutes to start the season is a good way to ease him into NBA action without setting him up to fail.

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As the year goes along, if Okobo impresses in the minutes he’s given, it’s reasonable to think he earns more minutes and becomes a regular part of the rotation. While he’ll probably start the year with two guys ahead of him, Okobo is the point guard most likely to be here long-term. As the season goes along, he should see more and more opportunities.