The Phoenix Suns have to decide on a lineup before the game is over because…/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24972879/usa_today_21556520.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
The Phoenix Suns are now healthy, and so must settle on a rotation moving forward beyond the upcoming trade deadline.
The last week was a momentous one for the Phoenix Suns. Not just because they’re on a three-game win streak, or even because they finally vanquished their fourth-quarter demons in a massive comeback win against the Sacramento Kings.
The Suns also reached a milestone of sorts this week: it’s the healthiest they’ve been all season. Twice this week they went into a game with only two players on the injury report. Bradley Beal is finally, fully back and playing every game.
Head coach Frank Vogel did an admirable job of managing the short-handed Suns, while also using it as an opportunity to try various different lineups. In stark contrast to years past with Monty Williams’ rigid rotations, it seems like any member of the Suns 15-man can play on a given night.
Still, that’s not necessarily an ideal way to operate this late into the season. When the playoffs roll around its preferable to go into them with a set 7-8 man rotation with everyone knowing their role. The playoffs are still months away though, so that’s not the reason Vogel should start honing in on his rotation./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68658157/1292842097.0.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
Instead, the urgency is coming from the rapidly approaching February 8th trade deadline. It’s hard to tell just how big of a player the Suns will be on that day, but it’s a safe bet that they’ll make a move or two. With such limited draft assets, a lot of the value they send out will be via players.
That’s why it’s imperative that Vogel finds out who fits the long-term vision of this team, and who is expendable to improve it. Right now, the backup center and backup wing rotations are especially in need of some clarity.
Outside of Jusuf Nurkić, who’s started every game when available, the Suns big rotation has been a revolving door this season. Drew Eubanks started as the backup, before being benched while Bol Bol, Chimezie Metu, and Udoka Azubuike got some run. Now Drew has found his way back in the rotation.