Phoenix Suns mailbag: spreading our wings

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 06: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns shoots against Dennis Smith Jr. #1 and Jalen Brunson #13 of the Dallas Mavericks during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Suns defeated the Mavericks 92-85. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Who will be the sixth man, and of the candidates, who would be most salty about not starting?

Let’s assume that the candidates for the two starting wing spots are Josh Jackson, Mikal Bridges, T.J. Warren, and Trevor Ariza. That means two of these guys will come off the bench.

Starting with Warren, I don’t think he has a great chance to start, and I don’t think he’ll be the sixth man either. I expect his role to be cut significantly in favor of the others. So while I do expect him to (understandably) be salty, it won’t be because he’s not starting, it’ll be because he’s playing even less than a sixth man would.

That leaves the other three.

I fully expect Josh Jackson and Trevor Ariza to be the two starters, simply because they’ve earned it so far. Jackson had a strong end to last season, and it wouldn’t make sense to not reward that with a chance to start. Ariza is a veteran and currently better than the two young fellas.

Mikal Bridges will be the sixth man due to the combination of wing depth and the fact he’s a rookie. But I don’t expect him to have any salt about it. He started his Villanova career on the bench before earning the starting job, and he should have no problem doing the same in Phoenix.

If for some reason one of the other two were sent to the bench, I doubt either would be too salty, at least not publicly. Both are well-liked guys around the league and would probably handle the situation with class.

If I had to choose, I’d say Jackson would be more upset, simply because he’d have more to be upset about. Ariza’s collecting his $15 million this year no matter what. He’ll be sought after in free agency next summer no matter what due to his great track record around the league.

Next. Evaluating a Josh Jackson and Mikal Bridges pairing. dark

For Jackson, though, handing the starting job to the rookie Bridges would be a bit of a slap in the face, and it could be interpreted as a sign that the Suns have more confidence in other players. But I don’t see that happening, at least not to start the year. And if it did, I wouldn’t expect much drama from Jackson.

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