The Phoenix Suns are going to struggle to get all of their starters enough of the basketball this season, thanks to the sky-high usage rates posted by these players in the past.
Several key players will have to sacrifice for greater good
Last season, Jalen Green ranked in the 99th percentile in usage per Cleaning the Glass, while Dillon Brooks was in the 97th percentile. Sandwiched between them was Devin Booker (97th percentile), with all three ranking in the top 20 in the league in this category.
At this point, you might point out that this trio was all in Phoenix last time out, and the team won 45 games. But that was with Green limited to only 32 appearances due to injury, while Brooks had a tendency to sometimes try that bit too hard to take over, to the detriment of Booker.
The Suns are now adding Miles Bridges to the mix, and although he sat in the 75th percentile last time out, that was because so much of what the Charlotte Hornets did flowed through LaMelo Ball. In the previous campaign, he too ranked in the 93rd percentile, and he is more than happy to take on the scoring load.
With Bridges having averaged over 20 points in three of the last four campaigns, Brooks hitting a career high of 20.2 points last time out, and both Booker and Green more than capable of reaching that mark each night, something has got to give.
There won't be enough basketball to ensure all four guys get the shots they want, with the added complication of Bridges playing for an extension. Then there is Green, who is playing for his career and the continued starting berth in Phoenix. Moving him to the bench makes sense and would put more order on each player's shot diet, but Green will push hard to ensure that doesn't happen.
Adding true point guard to the mix could solve this problem
Collin Gillespie looks like the obvious choice to insert into the starting group, as his desire to set up his teammates is what is badly needed here. He sat in the 41st percentile last time out and can also perform a serviceable Grayson Allen impression off the ball when required.
Jordan Goodwin, Jamaree Bouyea, and even Pat Spencer (he's going to surprise you) could also help, as they too would be looking to set up the guys who expect to be taking 15+ shots each night.
Spare a thought for center Mark Williams with that group, as he won't play a sizeable role offensively. Fresh off his own extension, he will be screening, rolling, rebounding, and defending while going minutes without shooting the ball.
Unless they change the rules to allow multiple balls on the court at the same time, at least two key players in Phoenix will have to alter their expectations for this team to be successful.
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