The Phoenix Suns are off to a fantastic 8-1 start this season, with many of these wins being close contests against above average opponents. The most recent one-point victory over the Dallas Mavericks the latest in a string of impressive wins.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer has quickly instilled a never say die mentality with this group, and it is clear there are nine men he trusts to get the job done on any given night. Rookie Ryan Dunn very much a part of that group, although an ankle sprain recently opened the door for Josh Okogie. Coach Budenholzer electing to only play him six minutes against the Mavericks.
He hasn't earned the coach's trust yet - and depending on how long Dunn is out for - there's a chance that he never will. Okogie was signed to a new deal this summer that looked like it was put in place to trade him down the road, and six paltry minutes played after nine games (even if he had a hamstring issue to start the season), does not bode well for Okogie in The Valley.
The same can absolutely be said for Monte Morris.
He's the 10th man in that rotation right now - and depending on the opponent - coach Budenholzer has kept him out of some games altogether. He's averaging just shy of 10 minutes per night, which is about right for a point guard backup to Tyus Jones who is also battling for minutes with Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Royce O'Neale and Grayson Allen.
Morris has only played on six occasions this season though, and received a DNP in the comeback win over the Mavericks. It might be early in the campaign, but it is already clear that as long as this roster remains healthy, Morris is only ever going to be a bit part player. As for postseason minutes when the time comes? You can already forget that.
Monte Morris on playing with the Suns Big 3: "I had Book running the lane and Kevin, and they both was like, 'I'm right here! I'm right here!' So you gotta make a choice, but it feels good to know if pass it to any of those guys, 9 times outta 10 it's gonna be a bucket" pic.twitter.com/HJ8HZiuTQ3
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) October 10, 2024
The upside here for the organization is that Morris is overqualified for his current position, and would be an amazing solution if Jones was to miss any amount of time. On the other end of that spectrum though, Beal has already missed some time with an elbow issue, and it didn't appear to help Morris in his quest for more minutes.
They were gladly gobbled up by rookie Dunn - who has even managed a pair of starts - and the 16 minutes he's playing so far this season only looks to be trending in one direction. Which puts Morris in the role of odd man out at this early point in the season. It's not that he's doing anything wrong when he's out on the court.
He's a fine backup who probably thought he might get a chance to start before the Suns pounced on Jones late in the offseason. He may be only on a minimum deal - but once the restrictions lift and he can be traded come the middle of December - it would not be a surprise to see him linked with moves elsewhere.
The Suns couldn't get a lot back for him given he's a rental - but if they can remain healthy - then they won't have a need for him at all. A straight up swap for another veteran in a different position could make sense, while getting a second round pick or two from a franchise that needs an additional floor general could also appeal.
It was always going to be a struggle for Morris to play meaningful minutes when this roster was healthy, and that was before the 8-1 start. At this early stage the rotations look set and are solid, while the roles for his teammates look defined. An opportunity could yet arise, but Monte Morris is most certainly on the outside look in right now in Phoenix.