The preseason is officially in the books, and the Phoenix Suns have their 10-man rotation locked and loaded for the regular season tip-off. While Coach Jordan Ott has his guys mostly figured out, the exact plan for the center spot remains surprisingly up in the air, even with a published rotation.
The Dust Settled: Who’s In, Who’s Out
After the preseason grind, the Suns made some tough calls to trim their roster. Haywood Highsmith, Kennedy Chandler, and Phillip Wheeler were the first casualties, waived right off the bat. Shortly after, Koby Brea and CJ Huntley joined them on the waiver wire. Drew Timme, who got cut by the Timberwolves, was quickly scooped up and signed. On the flip side, Jamaree Bouyea held onto his spot, securing his place as the 14th player on the roster. So, the Suns are rolling into opening night with 14 players on standard contracts, betting on this core to carry them.
The Main Event: Ott’s Chosen 10 And A Big Question Mark
So, who’s actually playing? Preseason gave us some clear answers on that front. The starting five is looking like Jalen Green and Devin Booker at guard, with Dillon Brooks and Miles Bridges holding down the forward spots, and Oso Ighodaro at center. Coming off the bench, we’ve got Collin Gillespie and Luke Kennard handling guard duties, Jordan Goodwin and Ryan Dunn as forwards, and Khaman Maluach at center.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Ryan Dunn really emerged during preseason play, staking his claim for a regular spot. Rasheer Fleming, on the other hand, faltered a bit and seems to have fallen out of the immediate rotation. But the real head-scratcher? The center position. Despite Ighodaro and Maluach being listed in the 10-man unit, the talk is that the center position is “still to be determined.” Coach Ott has the answer, sure, but he’s apparently keeping his cards super close to his chest right now. It’s a long season, and the starting center could change.
Next Man Up: Who’s Ready To Jump In?
Beyond the core 10, there are a few guys ready to step up if their number gets called. Jamaree Bouyea is trusted if they need another guard, especially after appearing in 46 games last season, including a start. Duop Reath is definitely going to be relied on, especially if there’s foul trouble or injuries to the other bigs. You hope he doesn’t have to play too much, but it’s a long season. Then there’s Rasheer Fleming, a young, talented defender with serious 3-and-D potential. His preseason was disappointing, pushing him out of the main rotation, but don’t count him out entirely. And let’s not forget Koa Peat, the rook. He’s got an NBA-ready body and could be ready sooner than expected if Dunn struggles or Fleming isn’t ready for primetime. Pat Spencer is also waiting in the wings.
So, the Suns are set with their opening night roster, but that fluid center situation under Jordan Ott is going to be the biggest storyline to watch as the regular season kicks off. How Ott ultimately deploys his bigs, and if that “mystery” gets solved, will tell us a lot about this team early on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bright Side of the Sun.
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