Hoops Rumors and Arizona Sports reported locker room frustration over the lack of a traditional point guard, three games into a 1-2 start. The franchise's best eras ran through Kevin Johnson, Steve Nash and Chris Paul, and Friday brings back a Denver rivalry that has gone both ways in the playoffs.
The turnaround trade. In 1988 Phoenix sent Larry Nance and Mike Sanders to Cleveland for Kevin Johnson, Mark West and Tyrone Corbin. That deal turned the franchise around. With Tom Chambers, Dan Majerle and Jeff Hornacek added, the Suns made a franchise-record thirteen straight playoff trips. The blueprint started with the guard.
The lineage. Steve Nash returned as a free agent in 2004 and, under Mike D'Antoni, helped tie the franchise win record in 2004-05. He and Charles Barkley are the two MVPs in Suns history. Devin Booker's only Finals trip, in 2021, came with Chris Paul beside him.
Today's gap. Hoops Rumors and Arizona Sports both reported frustration in the locker room over the lack of a traditional point guard. Booker leads the team with 5.3 assists through three games while also carrying 23.0 points. His 22.2 percent shooting from deep shows what doing both jobs costs him.
The in-house option. Collin Gillespie sets up 4.3 assists in 24.2 minutes, second on the roster behind Booker, though he is hitting just 23.8 percent of his threes. Jordan Ott's cheapest fix is already on the roster: more minutes for the guard who organizes the offense most often after his star.
Denver, then and now. On this date in 1985, the Nuggets beat Phoenix 142-127. The playoff history cuts both ways: the Suns swept Denver in 2021, then lost to them in 2023 after leading 2-0. Nikola Jokic still runs the Nuggets at 9.0 assists and 10.5 rebounds, the kind of hub Phoenix lacks.
Rest and absences. Phoenix gets three days off. Denver plays its second straight road game on one day of rest, without Cameron Johnson, Julian Strawther, Spencer Jones and Alpha Diallo. Oso Ighodaro is day-to-day with an oblique issue and an estimated Friday return. Mark Williams has an estimated return of Feb. 3.
Do the Suns have a true point guard?
Hoops Rumors and Arizona Sports reported frustration over the lack of a traditional point guard. Devin Booker leads the team with 5.3 assists, and Collin Gillespie is next with 4.3.
When do the Suns play the Nuggets?
Phoenix hosts Denver on Friday, Oct. 30, in an Emirates NBA Cup game.
