The Phoenix Suns continued training camp Saturday, Oct. 3, in advance of their first preseason game Monday in Detroit against the Pistons at Little Caesars Arena.
The Suns had a spirited scrimmage Friday
in which they played three quarters and came out of it healthy.
“Try to get their minutes up,” Suns coach Jordan Ott said after Saturday’s practice. “Played a lot of those high-minute guys in that 20 to 24 range, just to see exactly where we're at. We know we have a good base, based on the last two months of playing a lot.
"We’re in a good place, and it got ultra competitive because we’re in a good place.”
Maluach-Ighodaro battle continues
The Suns are pretty much set with four of the five starters: Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and Miles Bridges.
Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro are battling for that starting center position with Mark Williams out for several months with a left shoulder injury.
Mark Williams at Phoenix Suns Fan Fest yesterday.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 3, 2026
He is expected to miss several months with a left shoulder injury as he suffered a torn labrum in an offseason workout.#Suns pic.twitter.com/kwpUL3Blou
“It's going great because we're getting each other better,” Maluach said after Friday’s Fan Fest at Mortgage Matchup Center. It's not guaranteed for any of us to start."
Williams tore his labrum in an offseason workout. He wore a brace at Friday’s event to keep his shoulder and left arm stable.
Maluach didn’t give a yes-no answer when asked if he had played with the first unit. He instead talked about how they’re mixing up the lineups.
“It's not one person with one unit,” he said. “Trying to see different matchups. Second team, third team, first team, we mix it up and see what matchups work best or whatever is best for the team.”
"It's going great because we're getting each other better. It's not guaranteed for any of us to start."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 3, 2026
Khaman Maluach on his battle with Oso Ighodaro for Suns starting center position.
On if he's played with 1st unit: "We mix it up. It's not one person with one unit. We mix it… pic.twitter.com/N4LLwi5IDB
Ott reiterated that point after Saturday’s practice, noting the team’s depth.
“Our competitive advantage, we have great depth,” Ott said. “We have a bunch of guys overall that can play minutes for us. We mixed and matched a little bit. We played three quarters yesterday. The second, third quarter, we mixed and matched. We'll keep doing it.”
Ott said he’d like to play nine to 10 players to begin the regular season.
“The high-minute guys build their way through the preseason, so everyone will get a fair shake (in the rotation),” Ott said. “We know how it goes. We know what it is. It's a three-week camp. There are some things that can happen in camp, and we're going to need everyone, and our depth is fantastic.
"Our young guys have gotten better. Our vets have gotten better, so it's just made for a good competitive group.”
From Friday's Phoenix Suns Fan Fest:
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 3, 2026
Collin Gillespie (left) and Luke Kennard (right).
The contest was the first to make two 3s in a row wins.
Gillespie did it first, but they keep shooting and Kennard was awarded the win.
Who'll make the most 3s this season for Suns? #Suns pic.twitter.com/fdJrgQDSr7
Kennard 'fantastic' in scrimmage
Ott noted the improvement in wing depth, specifically mentioning Luke Kennard, saying the addition was “fantastic” in Friday’s scrimmage.
“Luke changes the geometry on the weak side,” Ott said. “We’ll use him. We’ll try to use him all around.”
Leading the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage for a third time in his career last season, Kennard likes the corner 3s but added he’s “good from anywhere” from distance.
“A lot of teams are going to try to take that away from me,” Kennard said. “Finding the spots within this offense, playing off of guys, playing with the ball. More shots off the dribble, whether it’s pick-and-roll, playing pitch action with some of the bigs, with Man-Man (Maluach) and O (Ighodaro). We’ve been really good developing that connection and working together. Anywhere on the 3-point line, if I can get a shot up, it’s good for me.”
Ott noted how Kennard and Ighodaro worked well together in Friday’s scrimmage.
“That was the unit yesterday; they got loose,” Ott said. “Those guys were on the same team. It’s interesting that instantly guys just play with Oso better. I do think that’s something to take advantage of.”
Jordan Goodwin said he's played every position in training camp except "the 5."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 3, 2026
So he's played the one?
"The one is probably the easiest one. I'm just setting up, getting other guys going, especially that 2nd unit, get Collin (Gillespie) going when he's off the ball."
Goodwin… pic.twitter.com/SANvc1JeX7
Goodwin at the one, too?
Suns' guard Jordan Goodwin played multiple positions last season, including power forward despite being just 6 feet 3.
He's been doing the same in training camp.
"I've played every position except the five," Goodwin said.
Including the one?
"The one is probably the easiest one," Goodwin said. "I'm just setting up, getting other guys going, especially that second unit, get Collin (Gillespie) going when he's off the ball."
Teams use training camp to try new things and experiment with lineups, concepts and ideas.
Looking at the second unit, Gillespie is the one who'd play point guard, but Goodwin could be an option at that position, especially if the Suns are short-handed.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Offseason Suns addition 'fantastic,' and who's new option at point?
