Ranking each position’s need for improvement for the Phoenix Suns
By Adam Maynes
Point Guard
Ranking this position’s need for improvement is entirely based on your thought of whether or not you believe that Devin Booker should be the starting point guard moving forward.
If so, then the only aspect of the position that needs to continue to improve is at backup, but of all the positions (between both starting and backup) the Suns are pretty strong at backup point guard with three on the roster, one veteran with starting and playoff experience, and two young players who many believe can be starting point guards in the future.
If you believe that Booker needs to be a shooting guard, his natural position, then point guard is the weakest position on the roster with three backup-quality players.
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As a starter, Isaiah Canaan is going to have some decent games and some where he is just entirely over-matched.
But for the Suns to take that next step, they are going to need a regular starter who is able to run the offense smoothly, slow down the opponent’s starter, hit 3’s when the offense produces such open shots, and be willing to give up shots to Devin Booker when, particularly in close games, Book goes isolation to carry the team on his back.
If Booker isn’t the starting point guard of the future, then they will need to find a starter who is comparable to the role Chris Paul plays in Houston, the kind of player who can run Igor’s offense smoothly and consistently. If that player is out there, it will cost a lot either in trade or salary come this summer in free agency.
If the Suns are truly back in the lottery in June, then hopefully that player can fall into their laps and that he has the maturity to step right into the role as an efficient starter right away.
If they are forced to wait for a point guard to develop over the next 2-3 years, then the franchise will only continue to flounder away waste away their superstar’s early prime years.
If Devin Booker is the starting point guard, then regularly finding a decent backup will be much easier than looking for a replacement full-time.