The Phoenix Suns dropped to 1-3 on the young season on Friday night with another defeat, this time at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in the Emirates NBA Cup. Head Coach Jordan Ott did look to have settled on a 10-man rotation to try and win games; it is just nowhere near the level required defensively to do so. Worse still, he now has too many personnel with the same strengths, but more importantly, overlapping weaknesses.
Suns need to work on adding players with different qualities
Collin Gillespie is the best example of this unfortunate spot the Suns have put themselves in. He's a key part of the second unit, and many fans would like to see him replace Jalen Green in the starting lineup. He has got clear defensive limitations, so rather than use a valuable two-way spot on a defensive upgrade, they went and signed veteran Pat Spencer.
Another player who is great to have on this roster and would make 15-man groups elsewhere; he just brings a lot of the same pros and cons as Gillespie. Jordan Goodwin is another; an excellent defensive guard who is big for the position and who gives the Suns valuable contributions off the bench seemingly every night.
Rather than having a different type of player alongside Goodwin in the bench unit, the Suns brought in Jamaree Bouyea. An excellent reclamation project who has exceeded all expectations, but one who has a similar body type to Goodwin, although his offensive bursts are stronger. The two have played together and had success, but that duo can only get you so far when you're being attacked at other soft spots on the roster.
Jalen Green is the worst offender here. The former second overall pick exists in the same backcourt as Devin Booker, who does everything that Green is able to, but on a higher level. Neither is a true playmaker, despite what Coach Ott thinks of Green, which creates what has turned into the team's biggest current issue. Lack of a true point guard to organize the offense.
Suns must turn to the unique players on their roster to cover holes
Although it is a scary prospect the move away from what worked last season, the Suns are going nowhere and need to change. Ryan Dunn is a player on this team who doesn't have anybody else like him, and who is an above average defender. The same is true of rookie Koa Peat, although expecting him to contribute in a meaningful way is currently asking too much.
Even Oso Ighodaro brings a level of two-way experience and athleticism at the center position that is painfully lacking. Although he is not at the level required for the Suns to go on a deep playoff run, his importance to this group cannot be denied. The Suns have made the mistake of creating duplicates of their best players on this roster, and it is now hurting their ability to win games badly.
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