The Phoenix Suns have loaded up on mid-level talent at the point guard position as training camp gets underway, and the newly available Rob Dillingham is a player they should have no interest in one day adding to that cohort. In fact, he would be an even worse choice than D'Angelo Russell for the franchise if they do decide to add another bigger name to their backcourt.
Dillingham an undersized bust that Suns can't afford to carry
The temptation when a former eighth overall pick becomes available at what would surely be the minimum is to think about ways of adding him to your team. Only Dillingham could never figure it out with the Minnesota Timberwolves, an organization that is in a position of contention that the Suns are trying to get back to.
In theory, he is a talent upgrade over current backups Collin Gillespie and Jordan Goodwin, but that duo is a much better fit on this roster. Defensive-minded and, in the case of Goodwin, long and capable of guarding multiple positions, they are exactly the kind of backcourt running mates Head Coach Jordan Ott favors alongside Devin Booker.
Goodwin's importance is even greater than that, given his uncanny ability to get the best out of whatever teammates he is paired up with. Russell might be a more selfish, score-first guard in his own right and, for that reason, would also not work in Phoenix, but at least he has had some success in previous stops with the Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets.
A much smarter strategy that the Suns have employed here is taking a flyer on Kennedy Chandler instead. Even smaller than Dillingham, the franchise has brought him in on a training camp deal, and the best he can hope for is edging out one of the trio of players currently on two-way deals, though Duop Reath will have something to say about that.
Suns don't need more backcourt help while Jalen Green is in town
With Green arriving at training camp off the back of summer workouts with Steve Nash, there is renewed hope that he could solve some of their point guard woes and improve his fit next to Booker. He is a much better scorer than Dillingham, and you could make the case that he may even be the better defender.
The Suns are at capacity for score-first backcourt players who need to be hidden defensively, which is unfortunate for Dillingham. He may be out of the league after only two seasons, and even if this team fails to hit the ground running and needs to make big changes to compete, he will never be the solution.
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