How the Phoenix Suns will use point guard Monte Morris next season

The Phoenix Suns added Monte Morris this offseason to address their need for a point guard. Last season, the Suns struggled to protect the ball since they didn't have a reliable ballhandler. Although All-Star guard Devin Booker and the other players who took on the lead guard role did a decent job, it wasn't enough. The addition of Morris has given them an attested player for the position.

The veteran backup point guard is coming off a year where he wasn't maximized by the teams that rostered him. He started the 2023-24 NBA season with the Detroit Pistons but was traded midway through the year to the Minnesota Timberwolves. When he was with the Wolves, he averaged 15.1 minutes and had little contribution in the postseason.

During his time in Detroit, he surprisingly averaged less playing time. The Pistons had no playoff aspirations last season, but Morris still wasn't given the chance to play.

So far in his career, the 29-year-old point guard has proven to be a dependable backup. He's shown he can make shots as long as he's given the chance to play. Morris averaged double digits in scoring four times in his career and finished in the top ten in the Sixth Man of the Year race in 2019.

After the signing, the question for the Suns is, "How will the team use Morris next season?"

Turning the ball over won't be an issue for Morris, making him the perfect player to finish games

The Suns' high turnover rate of 14.9 last season was the side effect of not having a steady guard. It was gut-wrenching to watch Phoenix play games, especially during the fourth quarter. In almost every game, the team had a hard time with turnovers during the final period.

Luckily, the guard they signed recently is skilled enough to protect the ball. Morris has maintained an average of 0.8 turnovers per game in his career. He's only averaged at least one turnover per game for two seasons.

The Michigan native has instilled in himself that he needs to protect the ball. Having this mindset could be a recipe for success for the Suns, who need to improve in turning the ball over.

""I kind of treat the ball like my momma's purse." "

- Monte Morris on the Suns' turnover woes.

Whoever starts the game isn't important, that's known to most basketball heads for quite some time. What's crucial is who stays on the floor when the game is tight during the final moments. For the Suns, Morris could be the guy to take over the lead guard reins during those moments.

Those are the moments when the stars need help the most. Since Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal play heavy minutes each game, having a guy like Morris control the pace during the fourth quarter would be helpful.

Morris has averaged 10 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists in his seven-year NBA career. He's proven to be a well-grounded point guard who has what it takes to play winning basketball. With a new head coach and Hall of Fame candidate teammates, the veteran guard has all the needed help to contend for a title.