If you want, you can prewrite the "Rasheer Fleming is turning into an essential part of the Suns' bench unit" article for next year, because that feels like an incredibly obvious development for the 2026-27 team. The 21 year-old rookie from St. Joe's was drafted because of the potential of him growing into a high-level wing defender and floor-spacer.
Well, in the 10 games he's played at least 20 minutes this season, Fleming has averaged 1.8 stocks and 1.6 made 3s per game. Those are the numbers that point to him becoming, frankly, a high-level wing defender and floor-spacer.
The biggest problem, of course, is that Fleming has only played 20 minutes in those 10 games this season — and a lack of a consistent spot in the rotation has kept him from really giving Suns fans a taste of what he's capable of.
Granted, this isn't anyone's fault; Fleming is a rookie after all, on a team hoping to compete in this year's playoffs. Plus, he plays a position that two veterans — Dillon Brooks and Royce O'Neale — are occupying (and performing well in).
Thus, it makes sense that Jordan Ott is bringing him along slowly, especially because so much of his game is still raw and a little unpolished. But the small bits of excitement he shows (in March, he averaged 19 minutes per game and shot over 40% from 3-point range on 3.6 attempts per game) have been thrilling enough for Suns fans to take notice.
Rasheer Fleming should explode when he cracks the rotation full-time
Fleming has some prominent fans, too, as The Ringer's Zach Lowe gave him a vote for the "1988 Reggie Lewis I Don't Know I Just Like This Guy Award For Young Guy Who's Not Playing Much Yet But You've Already Bought Significant Stock" award on The Bill Simmons Podcast. A true honor for the young Sun.
Fleming wasn't expected to enter the league and immediately contribute, so any production from him down the stretch and in the playoffs would be a bonus. Instead, I foresee a Peyton Watson-type development for him. If he can average 15-ish minutes per game next year, bring energy, and hit 3s at a league-average clip, that's a big developmental step.
I am splitting that Fleming stock with Zach Lowe, for the record. He'll still have to earn his minutes next year (Brooks and O'Neale will both be back) but at some point, keeping him on the pine will not be possible anymore.