Suns’ latest move leaves them with unlikely point guard

Phoenix went from having the Point God to having no factor defend at all.

Bradley Beal is expected to enter 2023-24 Suns training camp as the team’s starting point guard, with Jordan Goodwin as a reserve PG, sources say.

Details on Suns moves to shore up roster, add 2nd-rounders for future moves, create $30M in tax savings: https://t.co/QdIc4Co3gw

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 16, 2023

After trading 12-time All-Star Chris Paul to the Washington Wizards for Bradley Beal, the Suns traded his backup, Cameron Payne, to the San Antonio Spurs, leaving them with hollow point protection. They’ve decided that their collection of ball handlers makes a traditional point shield unnecessary.

Beal might be the nominal factor to protect, although Phoenix expects Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Eric Gordon, and Jordon Goodwin to do all percentage duties for distributing the ball. They’re planning to apply Jordan Goodwin, received within the Beal exchange, as their backup factor guard — he averaged 2.7 assists in 18 mins consistent with the sport for the Wizard’s ultimate season.

Still, the number one motivation for Phoenix was to store cash. While Payne’s $6.5M income was only assured for $2M, Phoenix stored $10M by way of trading him in place of liberating him, as well as $30M in income and comfort taxes standard.

It additionally spread out a roster spot, which the Suns used to feature the exciting Bol Bol. The 23-year-old Bol is a 7-foot-2 ahead with a whole lot of talents, however, no longer has a whole lot of consistency.

He shot 38.8% from three-point variety between October and January for the Orlando Magic – then 8.7% for the rest of the season. He additionally confirmed flashes of brilliance early.

However, after averaging one help and 1.6 turnovers in line with recreation, Bol possibly isn’t the Sun’s answer at point shield. Meanwhile, Beal averaged five.4 assists remaining year and Booker averaged 5.5, an aggregate it is extra than Paul’s eight. Nine remaining yr. Of route, they also blended for five.6 turnovers, a long way more than Paul’s 1.9.

Bol Bol going coast-to-coast!

20 Points
9/14 Shooting
9 Rebounds
3 Assists
2 Steals
2 Blocks
W pic.twitter.com/ykLzPqokmB

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 8, 2022

The hazard in trading Payne isn’t always just that Phoenix turns thin at the one. It’s that without his salary, Phoenix can also have a hassle making trades. They have 4 gamers making the maximum — and every different participant making the minimum, this means that matching salaries might be very difficult.

But much like figuring out who will run the offense in crunch time, the Suns have determined they will parent it out later.