Monty Williams and the Phoenix Suns tried a lot of lineups leveraging the bench down the stretch, making a fan wonder who will be the first player off the Suns’ bench in the playoffs.
When Phoenix ran roughshod over the Western Conference to reach the NBA Finals two seasons ago, the sixth man was pretty well established, with Cameron Payne a force off the bench in Chris Paul’s first season with the Suns. Now two seasons later, although both Paul and Payne are on the team, Cam is not guaranteed to be Phoenix’s sixth man but is certainly in the mix. Ultimately, any of three or four different players could be the first player off the Suns’ bench.
No one player in the sixth-man role for the Suns
Two years ago, it was Cam Payne as the obvious sixth-man for the Suns, and last season it was a different Cam, with Cameron Johnson getting the call first, most often off the Suns’ bench. However, this season was vastly different for Phoenix, as the Suns’ roster battled injuries throughout the campaign. Those injuries and a blockbuster trade meant that there was little consistency in who got the call first for Williams and the Suns, but that could change in the playoffs.
With heavy minutes coming the starter’s way in the playoffs, we should expect the Suns’ bench to get shorter, not longer, as it did down the stretch. Any opportunity to make decisions on his rotation before the games are win or go home has passed, and Williams has some choices.
The Suns’ sixth man will depend on the situation
Since there is no established sixth man for Phoenix, we should expect that the first player off the Suns’ bench will depend on the situation and, to some extent, the opponent. Teams are more apt to match up in the playoffs, and given a plethora of options on the pine, Williams could get creative with his substitutions and patterns. There are three players most likely to be the Suns’ first substitutes.
Since the Kevin Durant trade, there has been an open space in the Phoenix Suns starting five, with four spots locked down with all-star-type talent. For the most part, the fifth starter has been Josh Okogie. The young guard has provided solid defense and is aggressive on the offensive end showing a knack for getting to the free-throw line and doing the little things that lead to victories.
As we go into this article, we are working under the assumption that Okogie will continue to be the fifth starter and, as such, is not one of our options.
Option 1: A player looking to get back to what he was
Cam Payne was the easy choice for Monty Williams when the Suns were running all the way to the NBA Finals. However, over the last two years, Payne has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent play. The Suns will likely rely heavily on Payne in the playoffs.
With Saban Lee likely not on the playoff roster, it is likely that Cam will be the only point guard on the roster besides CP3. Although Phoenix could choose to operate sans a point guard when Paul is not on the floor, with some point-Booker, the reality is the Suns need Payne’s ability to penetrate the defense and be a pest on the defensive end.
We may never see the same Payne who torched the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020-2021 playoffs, but we should get the chance. Recovering from a tailbone injury late in the season, the hope is that Payne is healthy and can contribute, which has not been a given this season; thus, others may get on the floor before the backup point guard.
If anyone besides Okogie gets the nod to be the fifth starter for Phoenix during the playoffs, it would be Torrey Craig. Starting in 60 games for the team this season – second most to Deandre Ayton’s 67 – Craig has made an impact all over the court for the Suns.
Option 2: Phoenix can use the other fifth starter
Craig began the season as a rotational bench player who might knock down the occasional three and provide some defense and became one of the Suns’ main non-all-star contributors. Craig may not have been starting over the last couple of weeks of the regular season, but Craig was often in the game late closing, with Williams preferring the experience of 32-year-old Craig over that of 24-year-old Okogie.
During the last few weeks, with a spot in the playoff rotation on the line, we have seen Craig expand his game, especially on the offensive end. Torrey has shown a greater willingness to attack the basket in the last month, taking fewer three-point attempts and finding his way with an expanding mid-range game.
No player made more appearances than Craig’s 79, and only Ayton and Mikal Bridges have played more minutes for the Suns this season. And while his 39% three-point accuracy may keep him on the court more than some expect during the playoffs, it is his rebounding – second on the team – and defense he is out there for. If the Suns are going to make a run, Craig will have to be a big part.
Option 3: Sixth-man by committee could be the Phoenix way
Payne and Craig are the two obvious and logical choices for Phoenix to be the first players off the pine in the playoffs. However, like so many things in life, who the first player to enter the game will be on any given night depends. With no player claiming the sixth-man role this season, who gets the call first may depend on the situation.
If the Phoenix needs a big man, expect the return of the Bismack
Bismack Biyombo is a player we could see a lot for the Suns in the playoffs or end up sitting on the sidelines getting bored. Biyombo could become a liability on the defensive end if teams go small, and defense is his strength as a player. However, if DA gets in early foul trouble or the Suns are playing Denver, Biyombo could play heavy minutes in dealing with a big frontcourt.
If Biyombo is the first player off the bench, it is likely because something went wrong, with DA in foul trouble or the Suns getting dominated in the paint. Bizzy will get his minutes in the playoffs, but hopefully at Monty’s discretion.
Williams can opt for Ross or Warren for that instant offense
Although Craig and Payne can score, they are not known as scorers. However, two other players on the Suns’ bench came recently to the team, Terrence Ross and TJ Warren. Neither Ross nor Warren has found their rhythm since joining the Suns. Ross’s intermittent minutes and Warren getting sick just when he seemed to be turning a corner have held back their integration.
While neither player has exactly proven it this year with Phoenix, both have been consistent scorers in their careers and can certainly come in and provide some offensive punch if the Suns need it. Ultimately, Payne or Craig will be the first to run to the scorer’s table for most of the playoffs, but depending on the situation, things could change as the Suns look to win 16 more games.