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

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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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 16: Deandre Ayton of the Portland Trail Blazers hugs Keita Bates-Diop of the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

Keita Bates-Diop

Before the start of the season, I predicted that Keita Bates-Diop could be a great help to the team. However, seeing as he’s heating the bench for the past two games of the season, that might not come to fruition.

Miracles can still happen, and Vogel might see something in Bates-Diop that will allow him to play.

So it seems Yuta Watanabe is above Keita Bates-Diop in the #Suns' plans. Shooting and fit makes him a better player for the Suns' system.

Thoughts?
— Trevor Booth (@TrevorMBooth) October 25, 2023

Similar to Little’s case, KBD has some competition within the roster for minutes. The Suns have a sea of options, and he might not be the name that the coaching staff would think of when an unexpected situation arises.

The coaching staff has favored the former Blazers forward over the former San Antonio Spurs forward. Questionable choice since Bates-Diop is longer, taller, and a much better outside threat than Little.

There’s still hope that the Suns will give KBD a chance to prove himself and show that he’s a reliable player.

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