Phoenix Suns: 3 Rotation Mistakes Monty Williams Must Avoid

Phoenix Suns Head Coach Monty Williams Cannot Hold Back Cameron Payne

With two point guards who both carry starting capabilities, the Suns have a true luxury on their hands for the upcoming season.

Chris Paul remains an all-league talent and arguably a top-five point guard to ever play the game. Playing behind him, Cameron Payne stepped up huge last year during games with and without Paul to complete easily his finest season as a pro. Collectively, they form a two-headed monster which no team wants any part of.

But with Paul’s growing age, Monty Williams needs to let the House of Payne rock a little bit longer this year.

With CP3’s legendary background, it might become difficult for Williams to cut into his playing time, even if he does so by minimal increments. However, it remains imperative that Williams sees both his point guards for exactly who they are during the 2021-22 season if he wants the Suns to thrive. Payne embodies a hungry and talented player coming into his prime, while Paul remains a superstar, but one who might benefit from some preservation being 36-years-old and with an injury-filled past.

With that considered, it makes sense to let Payne run freely a bit longer this year and utilize his energy as a young player carrying some newly found confidence. Taking roughly 2-5 minutes per game from Paul feels adequate at this point.

These minutes should not occur during crunch time situations, nor to start off a game either, but instead during a contest’s less pivotal moments. Take Paul out a minute early towards the end of the first quarter, or just leave Payne on the floor to play a few extra sequences mid-way through the third period.

Little things like that add up over a game, and collectively allow Payne to bring his pop off the bench more frequently, while simultaneously allowing Paul to rest up a tad bit.