Why Suns' Bradley Beal should come off the bench

The Phoenix Suns, having signed veteran point guard Tyus Jones to a one-year, $3.3M deal, now face a pivotal decision in optimizing their lineup for the upcoming NBA season. New head coach Mike Budenholzer must decide whether to move Bradley Beal to the bench, which could balance scoring and defense while strengthening the starting and second units.

Starting lineup

The proposed starting lineup includes Jones, Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant and Jusuf Nurkic. Jones, who finished the 2023-24 season with the fifth-best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA at 7.35, according to NBA.com, is poised to take on the starting point guard role. His presence allows Booker and Durant, averaging 27.1 points per game last season, to focus on scoring as primary threats. Jones' ability to orchestrate the offense ensures that Booker and Durant can thrive with the ball in their hands.

Allen's inclusion as a three-and-D wing is crucial for floor spacing and perimeter defense. Allen led the NBA last season with a 46.1% shooting percentage from three-point range, making him a key piece in spreading the floor and creating space for Booker and Durant to operate offensively. Nurkic anchors the paint, providing valuable rebounding, shot-blocking and passing abilities that complement the perimeter-oriented attack. Together, these elements create a well-balanced starting lineup for the Suns.

The bench

Shifting Beal to the bench transforms the second unit into a juggernaut. As the primary scorer, Beal can dominate against opposing bench players, similar to the roles of past sixth men like Manu Ginobili and Lou Williams. This strategy maximizes Beal's scoring and playmaking abilities, allowing him to lead a potent second unit.

Joining Beal on the bench would be Monte Morris, Royce O'Neale, Bol Bol and Mason Plumlee. This group offers a balanced attack: Morris as a facilitator (boasting the second-highest assist-to-turnover ratio last season at 9.86), O'Neale as a three-and-D wing, Bol providing length, shot-blocking and unique scoring ability and Plumlee adding size and rebounding. This diverse skill set ensures the bench can maintain competitive play while the starters rest.

A critical consideration in this lineup shuffle is the distribution of three-and-D wings. By starting Allen and bringing O'Neale off the bench, both units maintain a strong defensive presence on the perimeter. This balance is crucial, as leaving Beal in the starting lineup would result in a bench unit lacking a primary scoring option.

This proposed adjustment balances scoring, maintains strong defense and increases lineup flexibility. The Suns' depth, bolstered by players like Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, Josh Okogie, Damion Lee and Nassir Little, offers Budenholzer options for matchups and in-game adjustments.

By optimizing player roles and strategically distributing talent, the Suns can maintain a high level of performance throughout games, making them a strong contender competitive Western Conference.