Phoenix Suns: Final Depth Chart Projection for 2021-22 Season
Phoenix Suns Small Forwards
The Suns extend their deepest at the small forward spot. Last year, they housed two players at the position who shot above 40.0 percent from deep, both being on the younger side with enormous potential as well.
Rotation:
- Mikal Bridges
- Cameron Johnson
- Abdel Nader
- Chandler Hutchison
Due for a contract extension but still without it, things might become testy between Bridges and the Suns this year. However, he embodies this team’s best defender and an elite shooter, putting up Phoenix’s best true shooting percentage last year. He missed the 2020-21 NBA’s All-Defensive Team by only four votes—so watch for him to make it this time around.
Johnson likely starts for most NBA teams, but with Bridges as a top tier defender, he operates as Phoenix’s first or second guy off the bench instead. His quickness and size make him a notable talent regardless, and he showed off his clutch genes during the postseason quite often last year. He might shift into the power forward spot from time to time as well.
We only saw Nader suit up for a few games last year, but when he did, his 3-point shooting stood out significantly. He hit from range at a 41.9 percent, and if Nader keeps that up while staying healthy this time around, he likely carves out a solid role for himself as a spot up guy.
Under a two way contract, Hutchison last played for Washington Wizards. He averaged 5.2 points per game, but only appeared during 18 contests. He likely spends the season bobbing up and down between the G-League threshold.