The Phoenix Suns have been an organization for some of the league’s best point guards in league history. In the team’s own history, the Suns can compete with some of the top teams in the league regarding having premier point guards.
For the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season, they can add another name to their list by handing the facilitating responsibilities to Devin Booker.
Over the summer, Phoenix traded away their starting point guard, Chris Paul, to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Bradley Beal.
Additionally, they got rid of their backup point guard, Cameron Payne, after trading him to the San Antonio Spurs.
Many thought he’d be the next starting point guard for the team, but that plan was scrapped following the trade. With those significant changes, the question about who will be the next point guard for the team started to rise.
Looking at the roster, the team needs to improve in the point guard department. However, that hasn’t bothered the new head coach, Frank Vogel.
He commented about the team’s need for a traditional point guard and is looking forward to an offensive system with a “multiple ball-handler attack.” Vogel’s offensive approach could be similar to what he implemented with the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2020 when they won the title.
Before the Suns traded away Payne, Vogel talked about his plans regarding the team’s offense.
“The pace that we want to play with, I think most possessions are going to have different ball-handlers each time down,” Vogel said. “It’s going to be a multiple ball-handler attack, but I’m comfortable with those guys.”
Recently, he talked about the possibility of Booker being the team’s next starting point guard. While no official decision has been made, the three-time All-Star being the new facilitator could come to fruition. Booker will open new opportunities for the Suns if he plays the point.
Devin Booker averaged a career-best 7.2 assists per game in the postseason last year. We’ve all seen what “Point Book” is like.
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) October 3, 2023
Here’s what he said about taking on more point guard responsibility this year.
“I’m sure we’ll pick up on it quick once we get in training camp and… pic.twitter.com/GRQgeV57LZ
Looking at the list of point guards around the league, it’s noticeable that there’s an abundance of bigger guards. It could be a new trend in the NBA as almost all 30 teams have a bigger guard as their floor general.
Given that the Suns’ roster is built to contend for a title, it’s about time that they do the same in assigning the former Kentucky Wildcats standout at the point guard position.
Over the years, there have been some instances where Booker had to take over the reins at point guard. During those times, the team didn’t have any struggles with how they executed their offense. The Suns could turn to him in their next campaign as the primary ball-handler.
With the 6-foot-5 star in the point guard position, Vogel could have more options on who will be the fifth player in his starting five.
Keita Bates-Diop and Yuta Watanabe are the first names that could be considered by the coaching staff as both of them had great statistical outings last season. Based on the team’s roster, it’s easier to experiment on their lineups if they move either Booker or Beal as their floor general.
It would also be an advantage to them as they can move Kevin Durant to the small forward in specific matchup situations and play big.
Booker doesn’t have to do all of the facilitating for Phoenix, but fans will be more comfortable seeing a guy they’ve watched play the position before.
The Suns have a chance to capture the Larry O’Brien trophy after they traded for Beal over the summer. The only concern right now is how they’ll execute everything next season, and moving the mid-range assassin to play the point could make a huge difference.