The Suns’ center conundrum: Is Oso Ighodaro the answer?

The Phoenix Suns have a problem at center. Why not give the kid a run

It feels like the Phoenix Suns have been sitting on a powder keg for a while now, and someone has finally struck the match. The fuse is lit, and the chaos is undeniable. Phoenix finds itself in a freefall, staring down the harsh reality that the hole they’re in might be too deep to climb out of.

The numbers paint an ugly picture: 2–8 in their last 10 games. Sitting 12th in the Western Conference standings. A dismal 24th in defensive rating per Basketball Reference. The highest payroll in NBA history. And a $50 million-a-year player saddled with a no-trade clause.

None of this is good. Not even close.

After an embarrassing loss to a team that had managed just one win since November 23, combined with Mike Budenholzer’s decision to shuffle the starting lineup, it feels like the fuse has been lit on the Phoenix Suns’ mounting issues.

Among their many problems, the center position stands out. Jusuf Nurkic has experienced a steep decline, regressing significantly from previous seasons. His once-reliable playmaking has diminished, his interior defense has grown porous, and now Budenholzer has relegated him to the bench, a decision that, frankly, still leaves me scratching my head.

Mason Plumlee, a guy who’s best suited for mop-up duty, has now been handed the keys to the starting role, and it’s clear: his skillset isn’t anything to write home about. He’s a fine backup — nothing more, nothing less — but in this Suns system, he’s a redundant piece in a puzzle that’s already missing crucial elements. Neither he nor Jusuf Nurkic has shown any consistency when it comes to protecting the paint, and that’s become a glaring, all-too-painful issue for this struggling squad.

The numbers don’t lie, either. The Suns are hemorrhaging 48.2 points in the paint per game, ranking a mediocre 16th in the league. They’re allowing 27.5 shots from within five feet, but the real kicker? The Suns themselves average a measly 20.1 attempts per game in that same area. Second-to-last in dunks. Last in layups made.

And the cherry on top? They’re dead last in the entire league in points per game from the center position, scraping together just 7.8 points a night. How much longer can they get away with this?

Nurkic has already been benched…so why not go all in? Why not start Oso Ighodaro moving forward?

Yes, Oso is undersized, and I understand the concerns that come with that. The Suns’ success against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday came largely because both Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond were out, leaving them with an undersized interior. In that context, the 6’10” rookie thrived, posting 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in 21 minutes. He made an impact because there wasn’t a true opposing big to physically dominate him.

But here’s the thing: neither Nurkic nor Plumlee has been effective this season. They might have size, but they lack skill. And since the Suns don’t currently have anyone with both size and skill, why not lean into the player who brings skill to the table? Oso possesses a high basketball IQ, quick decision-making, floor awareness, and the athleticism to be a legitimate lob threat.

Consider this: Mason Plumlee leads the Suns in dunks this season with 21 in 596 minutes played. But Oso is right behind him with 19 dunks in just 440 minutes. Plumlee averages 0.035 dunks per minute; Oso averages 0.043. Is that a stat? I don’t know, but I’m running with it!

The Suns are already starting one rookie in Ryan Dunn. Why not make it two and inject some much-needed youth into the lineup? Youth played a pivotal role in their win against Philly, and it was youthful energy that dismantled them in Charlotte. Maybe it’s time to embrace that youth and let Oso Ighodaro get his shot in the starting lineup. If nothing else, it’s a move that offers hope for a team in desperate need of a spark.