Let’s dive into the key rotation pieces on the Phoenix Suns bench and how they mesh together.
Head coach Mike Budenholzer already confirmed the starting five for the Phoenix Suns, so what better time than now to dive into the bench mob? How will they click? How many players deep will Budenholzer go?
These are the burning questions we await as the season approaches. We will eventually get these answers, but until then, it’s fun to speculate.
ICYMI: Here are the five Bud will be rolling with to start the season.
Starting Five:
- Tyus Jones
- Bradley Beal
- Devin Booker
- Kevin Durant
- Jusuf Nurkic
Suns Up ☄️ pic.twitter.com/OfVVT9XOQX
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) September 30, 2024
This starting five is on the smaller side and I question the rebounding and defensive ceiling, but the offense will be electric.
Bench Mob
That notably leaves Grayson Allen to lead the second unit after starting 74 (of 75) games during his first season in Phoenix a year ago. He should compete for Sixth Man of the Year this season.
Allen will be joined by Monte Morris, who figures to back up Tyus Jones as the Suns’ number two point guard on the depth chart. The duo of Morris & Allen is as strong of a reserve backcourt duo as you will find.
The next man up as the wing with the second unit is Royce O’Neale. He will find ~20+ minutes per game likely since the Suns lack wings. He will do the dirty work, hustle on both ends and is capable of knocking down shots.
Next up… are you a Bol-iever? I certainly am and from what Coach Bud said about him (Bol) it feels fair to assume that he will get an opportunity to crack the rotation. Bol Bol adds a combination of size and versatility that is unique, and he has shown signs of improvement.
Last but not least, the backup big for Jusuf Nurkic, Mason Plumlee.
Projected 5-man bench mob:
- Monte Morris
- Grayson Allen
- Royce O’Neale
- Bol Bol
- Mason Plumlee
This group has a good mix of size, shooting, and reliable veterans. That’s already a massive upgrade on paper over what the Suns’ second unit looked like a year ago filled with question marks.
Waiting in the Wings
I am hoping the Suns do not use more than a 10-man rotation, it would feel overkill. Even 10 is a lot, I typically prefer 9 so players can get in a rhythm with consistent minutes, but it will likely be matchup-dependent.
For a team that needs defense, it feels odd to have both Ryan Dunn and Josh Okogie on the outside looking in. Damion Lee is buried on the depth chart with all the guards of similar builds, so it’s tough seeing him crack the rotation barring multiple injuries.
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Oso Ighodaro still needs to beef up a bit, but he could become a factor if one of their bigs goes down or gets in foul trouble. I like him long-term, but think some Suns fans need to temper their (immediate) expectations entering year one. Frank Kaminsky might even get minutes over him if he makes the roster and they need help early since he is a veteran they can trust.
Speaking of rookies, Jalen Bridges is another name to watch if a key wing or forward misses some time. He’ll be someone to monitor during camp and preseason.
Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images
Collin Gillespie would’ve received playing time if he was on the Suns last year. This year, their point guard situation is night and day different and he is absolutely buried on the depth chart. It’s tough to envision him getting any serious run as things stand.
What are your thoughts on the Suns bench mob? Do you expect Bud to expand past a 10-man rotation? Let us know in the comments below.