The Phoenix Suns have dramatically overhauled their roster under new owner Mat Ishbia, including trading for three-time All-Star Bradley Beal. It was a surprising summer that left the Suns are light on tradable assets but feeling like contenders.
The latest move was trading Cameron Payne to the Spurs to make room for Bol Bol. It left the Suns light at point guard with The Athletic reporting Beal is expected to start (subscription required) at the one. The 6’4 wing has averaged 5.5 assists per game over the last five years combined, but he is not viewed as a traditional point guard.
The Suns are not light on ball-handlers, but who should be their main creator? Does Phoenix need a point guard before the playoffs? Jordan Goodwin is the backup if this experiment fails, but expect the Suns to get aggressive in acquiring a true point guard. Who will be available to take over?
Players more likely to finish the season as Phoenix Suns starting point guard than Bradley Beal
5. Kyrie Irving
Fans heard about Kyrie meeting with the Suns in free agency, despite the restrictions that would be placed on his signing. The 6’2 guard went to Brooklyn to team with Kevin Durant, and he could be looking to do it again.
Things are different after he signed his new three-year $120 million deal with the Mavericks. He becomes eligible to be traded on Dec. 15, and his $37 million salary matches closely with Deandre Ayton’s $32.4 million. Would Phoenix make that trade? They are all-in, and if playmaking issues are holding them back, do not be surprised to see a change.
The Mavs struggled after acquiring Kyrie Irving but had a strong offseason of their own. If things are not working early in the season, all parties could look to move. Suns fans should keep an eye on what is happening with the rival Mavericks.
4. Mike Conley
Conley turns 36 years old in October and is on an expiring contract. He averaged 11.9 points, 6.7 assists, and 1.1 steals in 30.3 minutes per game last season. The 6’1 guard is still productive, but he could become a ring chaser at the deadline if his team struggles.
The Timberwolves expect to be in the hunt, but it won’t be easy in the crowded Western Conference. They were eighth last season and did not make massive upgrades. Every team in the top 10 expects to remain there as Dallas and Houston look to enter. Two teams will miss the Play-In Tournament from that group, and it will largely be determined by health and chemistry.
If Minnesota is struggling, Conley could get bought out and sign with a contender in February. The Suns would be aggressive in landing his signature, and the All-Star point guard could be the missing piece to Phoenix becoming legit title contenders.
This is a bit unlikely, but do not rule it out completely. The Timberwolves would try to trade him, and the Phoenix Suns would only be able to offer a few second-round picks in return, and that may not be enough to acquire him. The Suns may get creative, but there are zero guarantees here.
3. T.J. McConnell
The Suns are rumored to be interested in T.J. McConnell, but acquiring his $8.7 million salary will be nearly impossible until closer to the trade deadline. They would have to put together a package of multiple players they recently signed to get him to the Valley of the Sun.
The 6’1 guard has mostly been a backup point guard, but he can organize the offense and create open looks. McConnell would likely only play 20-ish minutes per game, but he could be the perfect fit in Phoenix. The 31-year-old could let the superstars cook, while he plays hard-nosed defense and sets them up.
McConnell has a partial guarantee in his contract for next season, but the Pacers might move on to avoid having to pay him at least $5 million in 2024.
The 6’1 guard earned the nickname “Floor General” for a reason. He commands the offense and gets everyone in position. McConnell has a high basketball IQ and does not need to score. He fits right in next to Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal in Phoenix, but trading for him will not be easy. Expect the Suns to explore every avenue ahead of February’s deadline.
Trading may not be an option, so the Phoenix Suns may have to look elsewhere to find their starting point guard if Bradley Beal isn’t working out.
2. Kyle Lowry
The Miami Heat have a difficult decision to make on what to do with Lowry. He is set to earn $29.7 million in the final year of his contract. If the Heat cannot trade him for Damian Lillard or another star, do they waive and stretch his salary to limit their tax bill? Does Miami trade him at the deadline or just buy him out in February?
If they acquire Lillard, Lowry would be reduced to the bench and a 20-minute per-game role. Does he want that? The six-foot guard could accept a buyout to try to get more run elsewhere, especially if the Suns have a glaring need.
The 36-year-old is no longer an All-Star, but he was still productive last season as he averaged 11.2 points, 5.1 assists. 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steal in 31.2 minutes per game. Lowry is declining, but he still played 26.0 minutes each night in the playoffs as the Heat reached the NBA Finals in 2023.
If Lowry hits the open market, the Phoenix Suns could land a veteran point guard that can help their new “Big 3” thrive. A starting five of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Deandre Ayton, and Lowry may be the best on paper group in the NBA, but there is no guarantee he leaves Miami this season. The Suns starting point guard in the playoffs could be on their current roster.
1. Devin Booker
Booker was transforming into a point guard before Chris Paul arrived in Phoenix, and fans saw what he could do after CP3 went down in the playoffs. Book averaged 8.3 assists per game against the eventual champions, and he willed the short-handed Suns to two victories. The 26-year-old is squarely in the middle of his prime and must consistently be the team’s best player if Phoenix is going to win the championship.
Booker is ready for the added playmaking responsibility, but how much will new head coach Frank Vogel put on his shoulder’s? Kevin Durant is still elite, and Bradley Beal has twice averaged over 30 points per game for an entire season. What will be the pecking order of their new “Big 3”? Book should be the alpha, but will he take over that role?
The Phoenix Suns have a ton to sort out in training camp, including who plays point guard. It is championship or bust in the Valley of the Sun this season, so the franchise has plenty of work to do. They did a fantastic job this offseason, but the players need to make it fit on the court.
Do not expect Bradley Beal to last the entire season as the team’s starting point guard, despite the recent reports. Who takes over? Stay tuned to find out.