The Phoenix Suns have formed a pretty incredible lineup that will feature Kevin Durant alongside Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Deandre Ayton. They’ve filled out the roster around them as well, as the team looks stronger today than when the Beal trade was made.
The Suns didn’t end up signing a point guard to one of their 15 roster spots, and Frank Vogel has revealed the reason behind the decision.
“I’m very comfortable with Beal and Booker as the starting backcourt, but we’re going to explore that fifth spot potentially being a Cam Payne or a point guard, and we’re going to explore it being a maybe a three or a four type defender position. Those things will play out in camp.”
Vogel did say he likes the idea of having a floor-setter to run the court but is comfortable with Booker and Beal doing so due to their s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 sets.
“I love the idea of getting those guys down the floor with a point guard and advancing it up to him and letting them attack. But I know that they can handle it on their own as well.”
Booker did have stretched throughout the season when he was playing as the point guard for the Suns, doing so in the playoffs after Chris Paul got hurt as well. Neither he nor Beal can be considered floor generals, but they’re talented enough to create out of that position. Beal averaged 5.4 assists last season, while Booker averaged 5.5.
Can The Suns Succeed Without A Floor-Setter?
Cameron Payne is a solid backup point guard, but the Suns need someone with court vision to maximize their success. Even though Booker, Beal, and Kevin Durant are self-creating machines, someone needs to get the rest of the roster involved. We’ve seen Deandre Ayton complain about touches even when he had CP3 feeding him, so that problem may get exacerbated without any creator on the floor.
The Suns were reportedly interested in former NBA star Darren Collison to fill the role but chose not to. If that’s what they’re finding for guards on the market, it’s best for them to trust that Booker and Beal can figure out a way to be creators for others as well as for themselves.
