The Phoenix Suns’ point guard puzzle for the offseason

The roster of the Phoenix Suns, like every roster across the NBA, has holes. Even the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics, who tipped off game one of the NBA Finals last night, have their holes. Some are more pronounced than others, and in the case of the Phoenix Suns, depth and playmaking are at the top of their list.

The organization believed that Devin Booker and Bradley Beal as a starting backcourt would net positive results. They are two elite shotmakers who have no issue getting to their spots and converting. Their scoring abilities would create an issue for opposing defenses, right?

So why didn’t it work? Possibly because basketball is more about a player’s impact on those around them than it is about their skill as an individual. Shooting is simply one part of a skill set tree that is necessary for success, along with the ability to create floor spacing and set up teammates for success.

Look at what the Dallas Mavericks did. They loaded their backcourt as well, but they opted to do so with two playmaking guards. Luka Dončić, and Kyrie Irving have no issue getting to their spots and connecting, just like the backcourt of Booker and Beal. The difference is they know how to set up those around them as well. They don’t falter with regularity in the crunch time moments because they lack the important playmaking skill.

Let’s get rudimentary here. Let’s simply look at the assist totals this season. Let’s not delve into the advanced metrics to see what playmaking talent each player has, but just look at their assist totals during the season and in the clutch.

Luka and Kyrie combined for 15.0 assists nightly, averaging 1.3 in the clutch moments of games. The Suns duo? 11.9 assists and only 0.8 in the clutch. The Mavs backcourt combined for 5.8 turnovers overall and 0.4 in the clutch. This gives them a 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio during the season and 3.25 in the clutch. Booker and Beal combined for 5.1 turnovers overall and 0.3 in the clutch. That is a 2.3 during the season and 2.6 in the clutch.

The playmaking hole is something that even Mike Budenholzer commented upon on the day of his introductory press conference.

“The conversations have been great and there’s no doubt we have to look at the whole roster and talk about point guard,” Budenholzer told reporters. “I’m sure it’s a hot button here, whether it’s with you guys, the media, the players, front office. We need to think about it. We need to be able to play without one. We probably need to have one.”

“We need to be versatile,” he added. “We need to play different ways: bigger, smaller. I think the point guard position has a place.”

This void needs to be filled, and the Suns should give it top priority this offseason. Is a starting-level playmaker available via trade or free agency? Probably not, unless James Harden is willing to take a minimum deal here as an unrestricted free agent. The best bet is to navigate free agency to find a fit for their second team unit, knowing that they can sprinkle that player in with Booker and Beal at different points of the game.

One asset they have at their disposal is the 22nd pick in the NBA Draft. However, it appears from who they just worked out before the selection that they would not select a playmaker with pick number 22.

I think that’s the right move. A young point guard needs an opportunity to develop, to catch up to the speed that is the NBA game. There are a select few who can go from the collegiate or international level and instantaneously be successful upon arrival in the NBA. Those players are generally high lottery picks, not found in the late first round.

If the Suns were to draft a point guard at that position, I view it as a wasted pick. Sure, you would add point guard depth, but you would not add point guard productivity. Throwing a young playmaker into the high-stress, high-expectation role that is the Suns' backup point guard is ultimately putting that player in a position to fail.

That position needs to possess a much more cerebral understanding of the game, how to navigate opposing defenses, all while setting their teammates up for success. You aren’t going to find that at pick 22. What you will find are athletic wings and bigs, who can rely upon their physical instincts and attributes to be successful as they learn the cerebral aspect of the professional game.

Go get Yves Missi. Go get Tyler Smith. Go get Kyle Filipowski or Bobi Klintman. Leave Isaiah Collier and KJ Simpson alone. You’re not going fill that void that exists from a playmaking perspective with a draft pick.

And it appears the Suns agree with this philosophy. They’ve worked out iFardaws Aimaq, Tristan Enaruna, Trentyn Flowers, Jaylon Tyson, and Jaylin Williams. Oh, and that Bronny James kid. None of which are a playmaking point guard, despite point guards being available in mock drafts. In fact, these are players who appear to be second round picks. Trade back for a couple more picks, anyone?

Free agency? That’s another story. It isn’t a murder’s row of point guards available, but for a franchise that doesn’t have the time to develop the next great disruptor, That is where the Suns should be spending their time and energy, researching who is available and developing narratives to sell them on what it means to be a member of the Phoenix Suns.