The Phoenix Suns will officially open training camp on September 29, and they need to make the decision to bring Jalen Green off the bench by the time the action begins for real.
Green being Suns' sixth man can work out for all involved
The former second overall pick would rightly view this demotion as a step back, particularly as he has only two years left on his current deal. But he's never going to make $36 million a season again if he remains a starter, and the best course of action to secure a spot in Phoenix or elsewhere long-term is to embrace a new role.
For the Suns, the payoff is obvious, and it is why Coach Jordan Ott should have Green playing with the bench unit as soon as training camp begins.
Right away, the starting five would have more balance on both ends of the court, with the trio of Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, and Miles Bridges, all previous 20 point a night scorers, not having to share the rock with another ball-handler. Green is also capable of hitting that number every time he steps on the court, but he has not always achieved this in the flow of the offense.
Defensively, he remains a liability, and playing alongside Booker ensures the franchise cornerstone is tasked with the more difficult offensive assignment each night.
With injuries having curtailed Green's first season in Phoenix as well, the best use of his skills now is as a flamethrower off the bench whose minutes are managed from the first game. This would free up a true point guard in Collin Gillespie to be elevated to the starting five, although Jordan Goodwin may actually be the smarter choice.
Suns will only contend again when backcourt has been established
The last time the Suns were truly relevant, Booker had one of the best point guards of all time in Chris Paul alongside him. Gillespie and Goodwin are not that, but it is no coincidence the team has failed to deliver while they have forced Booker to be more of a playmaker.
As long as he counts Green as his backcourt mate, that is going to continue. That is why the fresh slate that is training camp, coming off a surprise 45-win season, is the perfect opportunity to make this change.
Letting this drag into the regular season would only create uncertainty about roles and touches, while the NBA won't be allowing a second basketball on the court to help the Suns anytime soon, either. They must be brave and bench the best player they supposedly got back in the Kevin Durant trade.
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