Valley of the Suns
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3 Suns players who will struggle for minutes early in the season

By Reign Karlmarc Amurao

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 10: Bol Bol #11 of the Phoenix Suns checks into the second half of the NBA game against the Denver Nuggets at Footprint Center on October 10, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 10: Bol Bol #11 of the Phoenix Suns checks into the second half of the NBA game against the Denver Nuggets at Footprint Center on October 10, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OREGON – OCTOBER 12: Nassir Little of the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON – OCTOBER 12: Nassir Little of the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

Nassir Little

Phoenix acquired Nassir Little after they traded for Nurkic during the offseason. The 6-foot-5 forward doesn’t lack talent, as he’s made a name for himself as a reliable wing defender. Little gradually became a solid role player with the Portland Trail Blazers.

He’s averaged 17.1 minutes in his four years with the Blazers. This time, however, he could struggle to acquire minutes with the Suns.

The team’s roster has enough three-and-D options. The Arizona-based team has other three-and-D wing players who are far better than him. Grayson Allen and Josh Okogie have shown what they can bring to the floor for the Suns. Their reliability on the three-point range makes them more valuable than the former Blazers forward.

There’s an idea that Little can take over Yuta Watanabe’s spot, but that would be a long shot. Watanabe is a far better shooter than he is, and the team can hide his defensive flaws.

Although the former McDonald’s All-American Game MVP is getting some playing time right now, the return of Beal and Booker could decrease his time on the floor.

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