3 goals for Monte Morris for the 2024-25 NBA season

One significant move that the Phoenix Suns made this offseason was adding Monte Morris to the mix. This acquisition somewhat addressed the team's need for a floor general. Last season, the Suns tried to experiment with their lineup and put Devin Booker as the primary facilitator. At times, other guards like Grayson Allen and Eric Gordon would take over, but none of them were natural-born floor generals.

This time, Phoenix will finally let their shooting guards return to their natural position. Although they only signed one legitimate point guard, there's a chance that others might take over for a while when facilitating.

Morris' addition brings a lot of variety to what the Suns will try to do for their next campaign.

Last season, Morris wasn't able to get a significant amount of action. The veteran point guard spent most of the time rehabbing his quad injury, which limited him to 33 games of action. He started last season with the Detroit Pistons before getting traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Now that he's healthy, the Suns hope he can take over and assist the team in their quest to contend for a title. Here are three goals that the team could set for Morris next season.

3. Rekindle his connection with Mason Plumlee

Morris isn't the only former Denver Nuggets player joining the Suns this season. Before he signed with the team, Mason Plumlee agreed to a one-year, veteran minimum deal. Both players were teammates for four seasons and developed a unique chemistry off the bench.

Entering the league, Morris was one of the best playmakers in college. In his four years playing for Iowa State, he averaged 5.5 assists, which isn't a lot. But his incredible assist-to-turnover ratio was the highlight. During his sophomore season, the 6-foot-2 point guard finished the season with 176 assists and only 38 turnovers.

His passing skills carried over in the pro leagues. Morris was able to develop a deadly pick-and-roll combo with Plumlee. The two players were the ideal sparkplugs off the bench. With the passer's accuracy and the veteran big man's athleticism, the Nuggets' bench had a must-see bench pair.

The Suns' second-unit offense was boring to watch, and having the two former teammates reunite could improve the team in that aspect. However, the next goal listed here might contradict the first point.

2. Take over the starting point guard spot

Phoenix didn't have a legitimate starting point guard last season and made Booker take over most of the lead guard responsibilities. The former Kentucky guard performed well in that position and looked like he was playing his natural position. However, the other players who took over the facilitating control had trouble with the transition.

This is why acquiring Morris was an outstanding move by the front office. The Suns now have a REAL point guard to hand the rock next season.

But seeing as the Suns haven't pursued other point guards, there's a chance that Booker could still start games at point guard. There isn't much problem with that. However, the starting five will perform better with a true facilitator.

One way Phoenix could put Morris in the starting five is if they convince Bradley Beal to come off the bench. It may be a tough thing to ask an All-Star guard, but that's one massive sacrifice the Suns need from him. It's also one of the goals that I've mentioned for the star guard previously.

Morris has never been a go-to starting guard in his career. Even with that, the Suns should be confident in having the veteran guard play with the starting five. With his passing and the stars' ability to score, the ball could travel quickly from their hands through the hoop.

1. Fix the Suns' turnover issues

Turnovers were a massive issue that the Suns struggled to fix last season. Given that they didn't have a traditional ball-handler, the team's ability to protect the ball wasn't addressed properly. Phoenix averaged 14.9 turnovers last season and was 25th in the entire league. Fans were hopeful the team would fix it as the season progressed, but the front office insisted on their "no point guard" experiment.

As mentioned earlier, Morris is a skilled ball-handler. He's only averaged 1.0 turnovers in his career twice, which could be a positive spin to the Suns' next campaign.

Turnovers aren't the only issue that the Suns face but addressing it next season would have a positive impact on the others. Morris is a high IQ basketball player and his teammates have spoken highly of that attribute of him. Plumlee talked about being teammates again with the veteran guard and the big man spoke highly of reuniting with him.

"Monte is such an underrated player. I have so much respect for him and you know, I've been in games where he's hit big shots, he's made big plays. The attraction to him at the outset of his career was like, how well he takes care of the ball... I know in college he had one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios, but he's just a really smart player and someone that makes the game makes sense for everybody that he's playing with."

Plumlee on reuniting with Morris

There's so much to like about having Morris on the team and fans expect much from him. With these goals set before him, the Suns will likely have a fun season as they try to compete for a title.