It’s odd that the Memphis Grizzlies are in the Southwest Division and not the Phoenix Suns just based on geographic proximity alone.
Arizona borders New Mexico, which borders Texas (Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs), which borders Louisiana (New Orleans Pelicans). Culturally, Phoenix is more in line with the spirit of the southwest than Memphis as well, from the deep association with Native Americans to the picturesque desert landscapes. Maybe none of that matters when either the Grizzlies or Suns step on the hardwood but, if the league does ever expand, it’s a divisional re-alignment that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has to consider.
In the meantime, the Suns have much more pressing matters.
3 Burning Questions For Suns Heading Into 2025-26 Season
Will They Decide On A Direction?
Despite owner Mat Ishbia’s earnest desire to bring an NBA championship to Phoenix, they’ve disappointed in each full season that he’s had control. In 2023-24, the Suns won 49 games, an increase from previous season’s mark (45 games). However, they were bounced in the First Round after making it to the second round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. In their calamitous 2024-25 season, they won 36 games and missed the playoffs altogether.
This has resulted in the Phoenix opting for a rebirth, trading Kevin Durant and buying Bradley Beal out of his contract. Now, the Suns are hoping that Devin Booker and Jalen Green can lead them back on the right track. As both Booker (.483) and Green (.407) have a sub-.500 career win percentage, that duo doesn’t inspire much confidence.
Of course, they did manage to land the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft by trading Durant. Yet, they used it to select South Sudanese center Khaman Maluach. If they hadn’t traded for Nick Richards thinking he’d be better for them for Jusuf Nurkic, then traded for Mark Williams on the same night that they drafted Maluach, that would make more sense.
On top of all of this, the Suns are on their fourth head coach in four years. This time, they’ve chosen Jordan Ott. The 40-year-old is well-regarded around the league, but he’s a rookie in a somewhat tricky position.
What To Expect From Jalen Green
A concise scouting report on Green will detail his easy athleticism.
At 6-foot-4, his straight-line speed and vertical explosiveness allow him to be a constant threat to attack the rim. Aiding his driving ability is a more than functional handle. However, Green simply doesn’t read defenses well enough, which often causes him to settle for jumpers. In fact, 44.8 percent of Green’s career field goal attempts have been 3-pointers. An additional 16.2 percent of his career field goal attempts have been taken between 10 feet away from the rim and the 3-point line.
When Green is scoring methodically, he’s actually quite the sight.
jalen green week 1 scoring highlights:
28.8 ppg
41.3% 3P
58.8% TS
Starpic.twitter.com/Nihjl49zZL
— rm #feelfc (@rholt22) October 30, 2024
He just hasn’t been able to consistently maintain that level of focus and maturity throughout a game, let alone an entire season.
If the Suns are going to get the best out of their new franchise cornerstone, helping him sharpen up his playmaking and continuing to challenge him defensively will go a long way. Yet, helping him be a more potent and efficient scorer could go further.
Who Starts At Point Guard?
To say that Phoenix doesn’t have a point guard would mischaracterize the situation.
They actually have three between Collin Gillespie, Jared Butler and Jordan Goodwin. It’s just that after three highly successful seasons with future Hall of Fame point Chris Paul, who’s commonly referred to as “the Point God,” the bar is a bit high. Even Tyus Jones wasn’t appreciated by the fan base. Solid but no star, Jones averaged 10.2 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 41.4 percent from 3. However, his defensive limitations were a constant point of criticism.
So, unsurprisingly, the Suns are reportedly considering starting either Green or Booker at point guard. Though nominally shooting guards, they’ve both shown that they can operate as the primary facilitator. Such a move also makes starting Dillon Brooks more feasible, as he’s more of a wing than combo forward.
With that being said, it’s likely to be Green who actually gets the nod, especially as Phoenix has actually been better when Booker doesn’t take on so much of the playmaking responsibility. Notably, Green averaged 4.6 assists per game in 2024-25 while former Houston Rockets teammate Fred VanVleet was out from Feb. 3 to March 10.
Gillespie can’t be discounted though. He doesn’t offer much in terms of firepower, with a career average of 4.9 points per game. Nonetheless, he’s a functional facilitator and efficient outside shooter with respectable defense.
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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