The season is almost here, Suns fans. Hang in there.
Here are three (semi) hot takes as we prepare for the launch of this new era of Phoenix Suns basketball. Not all of these are insane; it just depends on who you ask.
Let’s dive into the fun.
1. Collin Gillespie enters the 6th Man of the Year conversation
Yeah, the same Collin Gillespie who played for the Valley Suns at one point last season. Why? Simply put, there will be all the opportunity in the world for the 3rd year point guard to solidify himself and have a true breakout campaign.
Last season, he took advantage
whenever he was given a chance. I expect him to take a leap with increased confidence and an actual needed role to fill on a team that could lack structure at times. With Tyus Jones and Monte Morris out of the picture, he is ready for takeoff. Control and efficiency will be the keys to playing time for Collin Gillespie.
The bottom line is that the Phoenix Suns will need a floor general who makes the right play and can get others involved. This is especially true for the younger guys like Koby Brea, Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, and Khaman Maluach. They will need a table setter to lead that group.
Jordan Ott needs to let Gillespie cook with the second unit and occasionally run with variations of the starting lineup. Do I think he wins the award? No. The volume scoring won’t be there. But the impact he provides will make some noise. I view him as a future staple in the Suns’ rotation for years to come.
2. Oso Ighodaro outplays Khaman Maluach and Nick Richards
Alright, hear me out.
I am still a believer in Khaman Maluach long-term, I promise. This is more about an Oso leap than anything, and possibly the need for some to temper expectations of Richards and especially the raw rookie Maluach. If Mark Williams misses time (which is almost certain), there will be plenty of minutes to go around.
The second-year leap is a real thing. One year of experience under your belt always helps when adjusting to several factors in the league. The speed of the game should slow down a bit for Oso now that he’s better acclimated and knows what to expect. I believe he and Ryan Dunn will both show significant progress from where they were a year ago.
Mark Williams has played in just 106 games over the last 3 seasons and averages just over 35 games per year. In a perfect world, he stays healthy. Looking at it realistically, I see more opportunity for Oso, Richards, and, of course, Khaman Maluach. Oso’s athleticism and ability to make plays for others while pushing the tempo as a playmaking big man give the Suns a unique look.
He may spend some time at the four this season as well. Either way, I expect Oso to play his way into the rotation this season despite his limitations. He is the true wildcard in the Suns’ center rotation.
3. Grayson Allen returns to his 2023-24 form
It seems like everyone is ready to move on from Grayson Allen. I’m not there yet.
I still think there’s a place for him, and that he will remind people of the player he is this season. While his skillset felt redundant at times, there is one thing the Suns will need more of this season: three-point shooting.
He put on a little too much muscle by bulking up last offseason, and it did not suit him. Hopefully, he gets back to being a bouncy, floor spacing guard who can slash in transition and defend hard. Preferably, while shooting 45% or better from three. That’s the Grayson Allen we prefer, even if it’s a greedy ask.
The Suns’ bench unit still needs help, especially offensively. That’s where Grayson comes in. And hey, maybe if he gets hot and the Suns are not in the playoff picture, they will be able to flip him and something else for an asset or two. It’s in Phoenix’s best interest for Allen to return to that version of himself, whether they are competing for a play-in/playoff spot or not.
Bottom Line
These are three takes on the margins, but could all bring some impact to a Suns rotation that desperately needs those fringe rotation pieces to break out.
We all know the ultimate “impactful” swings will come from the seasons that Devin Booker and Jalen Green have. The storylines are not focused much on what happens in between. And well, it’s important. Those guys will need some help. Depth matters a ton in today’s NBA, and the Suns just might have enough to surprise some people.
