Valley of the Suns
Fansided

The Phoenix Suns should clear the bench to close the season

By Khaleel Abdullah

HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 15: Igor Kokoskov of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 15, 2019 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - MARCH 15: Igor Kokoskov of the Phoenix Suns reacts in the first half against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 15, 2019 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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With only three games to play and multiple player injuries, the Phoenix Suns should just see what they have in their reserves.

The injury bug has not just bitten the Phoenix Suns but rather turned into the plague in the valley and infected a large part of the roster, including many of the team’s best players. One could make a starting lineup out of who is hurt right now, with Tyler Johnson, Devin Booker, T.J. Warren, Kelly Oubre and Deandre Ayton all sitting out.

There are only 3 games left to play as Phoenix sits at 18 wins on the season, not leaving much to actually play for. The torture of the 2018-19 campaign is almost over for fans.

Between the injuries and the lost season, the team would be smart to do what they can to limit further injuries to the key players that are still healthy. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to see what they have in the players toward the end of the bench.

Jamal Crawford is a veteran that would do more good as a coach on the bench at this point as there isn’t really any point to playing him.

The best five man starting lineup the Suns could roll out at this point is De’Anthony Melton and Mikal Bridges as the two guards, Josh Jackson and Dragan Bender as the two forwards and Richaun Holmes at center.

However, Melton has shown what he is as a defensive guard at this level of his development. Bridges and Jackson are key parts of the future barring a trade. Holmes has shown he is exactly what the team needs as a backup center. The team shouldn’t want to really risk any of them getting hurt the way this injury thing is going right now.

Here’s a thought. Why not allow this final trio of games be for pure development? The team, just for giggles, could send out a lineup composed of the end of their bench and just let them get the minutes they normally wouldn’t. This would help them get better by getting out there and getting that experience.

How about a starting lineup of Elie Okobo, Jimmer Fredette, George King (if healthy), Bender and Ray Spalding? If King is not healthy enough to play, throw out three guards by putting Troy Daniels in there in his place.

At the least it would be something to watch, something to talk about. Again, there really isn’t really any thing left to play for this season.

Why not see what these guys really provide at this point while also unleashing Jimmer? The Suns should just throw up their hands and make the last stretch interesting before officially calling it a season and undergoing serious change in the off season to make this a legitimate team.

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