By Daniel Benjamin,Last Word On Sports

Copyright yardbarker

The Phoenix Suns are starting a new chapter in year three under much-maligned owner Mat Ishbia.

3 Players Competing For Suns Starting Power Forward Spot During Training Camp

Ishbia officially took over the Suns on February 6, 2023. Since February 9 of that year, Phoenix has posted a 100-90 record. The Suns reached the Western Conference semifinals in the first season of the Big 3 era after Kevin Durant was acquired at the trade deadline from Brooklyn.

“Just wasn’t a fit for what we’re doing going forward,” Isbia said about why the Suns traded Durant.

However, it has all been downhill since. Phoenix was swept by Minnesota in the opening round of the 2024 playoffs and won just 36 games last season, marking the Suns’ fewest wins since missing the playoffs in 2020. Not only has Ishbia had off-and-on-court issues, but he has cycled through four coaches.

So, why is a new chapter needed if Ishbia has been recycling through the roster and coaches since taking over? Because this year, unlike the other two seasons, the Suns are starting over. The Suns have not only overhauled their roster, but also their front office and coaching staff.

Brian Gregory is a first-year general manager, and Jordan Ott is a first-year head coach. The Suns traded Durant and released Bradley Beal, ending their Big 3 Era. Additionally, 11 of the 17 players either on a two-way or standard deal are newcomers.

Needless to say, Phoenix has a lot to figure out this fall. Ott has a lot more decisions to make than Gregory. However, the collaboration between Gregory and Ott on who gets the final roster spot has significant ramifications.

Suns’ Last Roster Spot

Phoenix projects to carry 14 players heading into the season. The Suns have worked hard to cut payroll after incurring over $220 million in taxes over the last two seasons. The Suns, who are $258,000 under the tax, open training camp on September 25.

Thirteen of the 14 players on standard contracts are fully guaranteed. Jordan Goodwin is the only player without a 100% guaranteed contract, as only $25,078 of his $2.3 million salary is set in stone. The Suns have also brought in Jared Butler on an Exhibit 9 training camp deal to compete with Goodwin.

Goodwin, who played for the Suns in 2023-24, signed with Phoenix three days after being waived by the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. Goodwin is a solid distributor and a pesky defender, though he doesn’t shoot it well. However, he is coming off his best shooting season of his career, averaging 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 steals in 29 games, including five starts. He compiled shooting splits of 43.8/38.2/81.8.

Like Goodwin, Butler has been in and out of his team’s rotation. Butler has 148 games of NBA experience, which is just two fewer than Goodwin. Known for his on-ball defense at Baylor, Butler is a strong facilitator with excellent ball-handling skills. He is also a good shooter.

Butler was fantastic last year, especially with Philadelphia. The 6-3 combo guard averaged 9.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 60 games, including 17 starts. He connected on one three-pointer while shooting 44.8/35.5/82.4. In addition, he topped the 20-point mark three times and compiled one double-double.

This battle is a toss-up and could go either way. Personally, I like Butler a little better for the Suns due to his offensive upside. However, I agree with Brendan Mau of the Phoenix Suns, as featured in Sports Illustrated.

“Goodwin beats out Butler for this position because the Suns are going to value his defensive intensity, which will be on full display in a meaningful battle during training camp,” Mau predicts.

Who Wins The Starting Power Forward Job?

Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic believes that four of the Suns’ starting spots are spoken for. According to Rankin, Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams are pretty secure in their spots.

That leaves the fourth spot open with a few candidates. Ryan Dunn, the No. 28 pick in 2024, is the incumbent and favorite to join the first unit. Dunn struggled shooting the ball, though the 6-8 forward did finish the campaign strong and was more productive as a starter last season. Known more for his athleticism and defense at Virginia, the 6-8 forward shot the ball well during the summer league and averaged two threes at a 37.5% clip.

Royce O’Neale is a “3-and-D” forward who has started half of his 600 career games. The 32-year-old forward is coming off his best season as he averaged 9.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He also knocked down 2.4 threes and compiled shooting splits of 42.3/40.6/73.1. Additionally, he topped the 20-point mark four times and compiled one double-double.

Rankin added that Ott may opt for a larger lineup. In that case, Oso Ighodaro could receive consideration. Ighodoro was quite efficient offensively last year, as he was particularly effective around the rim and on the offensive boards.

Ighodaro averaged 4.2 points, 3.6 boards, and 1.2 assists in 61 appearances last season, including two starts. The 23-year-old forward, who shot 60.4% from the field for the season, was more efficient after the all-star break. He scored in double-figures six times and grabbed at least 10 boards twice.

Dunn will likely get every chance to prove that he has improved offensively and is Ott’s best starting option.

“Dunn’s defense will prove really valuable, but he will need to show that he can play bigger than his size at the 4 spot, develop his shooting more, and be more aggressive in terms of driving to the rim,” Mau said early last month.

Projected Depth Chart and Starting Lineup

Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn, Mark Williams

Second Unit

6th Man: Grayson Allen

7th: Royce O’Neale

8th: Collin Gillepsie

9th: Khaman Malauch

10th-13th: Rasheer Fleming, Nigel Hayes-Davis, Nick Richards, and Oso Ighodaro

End Of Bench

14th: Jordan Goodwin

15th: Isaiah Livers (2-way)

16th: Koby Brea (2-way)

17th: CJ Huntley

Training Camp Invitees Who Will End Up In G-League

In addition to Butler, the Suns have signed three other players to training camp deals. Tyrese Samuel, Damion Baugh, and David Duke Jr. have inked Exhibit 10 deals. Expect all three players to begin the season with the G-League Valley Suns.

© Michael Chow/Arizona Republic