The Phoenix Suns made several notable additions and re-signings to their roster this offseason, yet they continued to ignore their most pressing need of a high-level point guard alongside Devin Booker.
Signings of Gillespie and Spencer don't help move the needle
The franchise can point to the fact that they brought back a floor general in Collin Gillespie, who we recently claimed was the second-best player in Phoenix last season relative to expectations. As important as bringing him back was for this group, being the sixth man on this roster is where he will have the most success.
Jordan Goodwin was also re-signed and is capable of running the offense for small spurts, but there's a reason why the organization gave him away once before. While they won't be making that mistake again, he is at his best as a defensive menace who doesn't also have to set the table for his teammates. Jamaree Bouyea is a Goodwin-lite player, so he doesn't count either.
The surprise addition of Pat Spencer is interesting, but as a two-way player, there is only so much he will be able to do each night. He is nowhere near the caliber of point guard that Booker had alongside him for the Suns' run to the 2021 NBA Finals in Chris Paul.
The organization has not replaced him since foolishly giving him up for Bradley Beal, a mistake they are still paying for and will continue to do so for the rest of the decade.
Ja Morant could have been answer to Suns' problems at this position
When you look at how little the Portland Trail Blazers gave up to land Ja Morant this summer, perhaps he would have been a smart player to go after. He has had his fair share of off-the-court issues (to say nothing of his injury history thanks to his style of play), but that doesn't appear to matter in The Valley anymore.
Owner Mat Ishbia and the front office preached continuity before blowing that up to trade for a guy in Miles Bridges, who has had his own problems away from the court. Bridges will also be looking for an extension soon, so it is not like the Suns brought him in to be a cost-effective option. If anything, it would have been easier to talk Morant into taking less money on his next deal.
You have to think that is why the Trail Blazers traded for him, considering they now have an owner in Tom Dundon who is not a fan of spending money. At all. No matter what, continuing to ignore the need for a high-level point guard just means it is on Booker to create more than he should, and that has never led to long-term success.
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