The Phoenix Suns have had a solid offseason, with the additions of players such as Monte Morris, Tyus Jones and Mason Plumlee. The team is looking to push for a championship, however after the disappointment of last season the Suns will be looking at what else they can change in order to make a successful run at a championship.
One of the main components for a championship team is ensuring the right rotations are occuring to best help lead the team to success. While the majority of the starters should be set, bench minutes will certainly be up for grabs for the Phoenix Suns.
The main role that could go to a number of players is the sixth man spot.
The main player coming off the bench and running the bench unit. There are a number of players who could fill this role for the Suns for a variety of different reasons, each bringing their own compelling argument to the benefits of having them in the role.
3. Royce O'Neale
Royce O'Neale was a solid pick up for the Suns last season, with the 31-year-old forward being traded to Phoenix from Brooklyn in February this year. O'Neale was solid for Phoenix, averaging 8.1 points on at a 41.1% clip, 5.2 rebounds, 0.9 steals per game in his 30 games with the Suns at the end of the season.
O'Neale, while not the type to put up big scoring games, does a number of things quite well that would see him be well suited as the sixth man for this squad. He can shoot the three ball at a respectable level, shooting 37.6% during his stint with the Suns and he is more than capable in playing a number of positons.
Having a player like O'Neale be the sixth man gives the Suns a reliable shooter and defender in the role, while giving the team the chance to experiment with a number of different line ups depending on the game.
2. Grayson Allen
A player who definitely earned confidence as a sixth man would be sharpshooting defender Grayson Allen. Allen had a career year for the Suns, posting great numbers and instantly sliding into the team as a key contributor.
With a number of injuries during the season to key players, Allen stood up to fill the void. He averaged career highs across the board in all statistics. He put up 13.5 points on 49.9% from the field per game and averaged an NBA high 46.1% from beyond the arc.
Allen was a key contributor on both the offensive end and the defensive end, providing a much needed spark to the team. Having him be the main contributor off the bench would give the team a much needed boost and give Allen the chance to evolve further as a player by being the leader from the bench, potentially leading to another career season.
1. Jusuf Nurkic
While it may be unthinkable that Jusuf Nurkic would be coming off the bench this season, he is the most likely starter to be shifted to the bench. The Suns picked up Mason Plumlee during the offseason and he could potentially slide into the starting line up in place of Nurkic.
Nurkic may be the better player of the pair, however Plumlee may fit better alongside the starting line up. We could potentially see the Suns experiment with this and having Nurkic play alongside the bench comes with advantages.
It would give the bench a reliable veteran presence, solid rebounder and passer from the center position. Nurkic averaged 4 assists last season, to go along with a double double average throughout the season. He also is great at setting screens and a solid defender.
While Nurkic's skillset puts him slightly above Plumlee as the preferred big man on the team, his level of play could benefit the bench and help him receive more touches than playing alongside the starting line up. Plumlee could more than likely be the back up big man with Nurkic starting, however it would not be surprising if Coach Budenholzer decides to play Nurkic off the bench.