After adding the future Hall of Fame point guard to the roster along with forward Abdel Nader via trade, the Suns would go ahead and select versatile forward Jalen Smith out of Maryland with the No. 10 overall pick in the NBA Draft, and would later sign undrafted rookie Ty-Shon Alexander from Creighton to a two-way contract.
During free agency, Phoenix would strike gold again by winning the race for veteran 3-and-D specialist Jae Crowder while also inking the signatures of E’Twaun Moore (one-year, $2.3 million), Langston Galloway (one-year, $2.0 million), and Damian Jones (two-year, $3.7 million non-guaranteed contract).
On top of that, the Suns would reach an agreement to re-sign both restricted free agents Dario Saric and Jevon Carter, who both seemed to play an impactful role for the team on and off the court last year.
Phoenix would part ways with Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, Aron Baynes, Frank Kaminsky, Cheick Diallo, Elie Okobo, and Tariq Owens.
It’s clear that head coach Monty Williams and the Phoenix Suns are steadily increasing the winning culture in the desert by improving the depth chart and personnel, so let’s dive into what the projected starting lineup should look like with the certain locks, players on the fringe of being a starter, and who the potential break-ins could be as the 2020-21 NBA season looms closer.
Phoenix Suns</a> were one of the most successful teams this offseason with all the influential moves made to boost its roster. From the trade market to the 2020 NBA Draft to free agency, the Suns completely nailed it.</p>
<p>Headlined by the acquisition of 10-time All-Star <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/18/phoenix-suns-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/paulch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Chris Paul</a> from the OKC Thunder, general manager James Jones and the Suns’ front office were real busy this offseason, and it seems that their detail-oriented work will certainly pay dividends. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/18/phoenix-suns-starting-lineup-locks/"http://hoopshabit.com/2020/11/12/phoenix-suns-trade-chris-paul/">Trading for Paul made too much sense</a> for an organization that hasn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2010, and now they’ve placed themselves in a position to finally taste the postseason once again.</p>
<p>After adding the future Hall of Fame point guard to the roster along with forward Abdel Nader via trade, the Suns would go ahead and select versatile forward Jalen Smith out of Maryland with the No. 10 overall pick in the NBA Draft, and would later sign undrafted rookie Ty-Shon Alexander from Creighton to a two-way contract.</p>
<p>During free agency, Phoenix would strike gold again by winning the race for veteran 3-and-D specialist Jae Crowder while also inking the signatures of E’Twaun Moore (one-year, $2.3 million), Langston Galloway (one-year, $2.0 million), and Damian Jones (two-year, $3.7 million non-guaranteed contract).</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="25 best players to play for the Phoenix Suns" data-url="http://hoopshabit.com/2016/09/03/phoenix-suns-top-25-players-team-history/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"
> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/18/phoenix-suns-starting-lineup-locks/"http://hoopshabit.com/2016/09/03/phoenix-suns-top-25-players-team-history/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> 25 best players to play for the Phoenix Suns </a> </div>
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<p>On top of that, the Suns would reach an agreement to re-sign both restricted free agents Dario Saric and Jevon Carter, who both seemed to play an impactful role for the team on and off the court last year.</p>
<p>Saric and Carter would join rising superstar <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/18/phoenix-suns-starting-lineup-locks/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bookede01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Devin Booker</a>, Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Cameron Payne as the only players returning to the Phoenix Suns from last season.</p>
<p>Phoenix would part ways with Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, Aron Baynes, Frank Kaminsky, Cheick Diallo, Elie Okobo, and Tariq Owens.</p>
<p>It’s clear that head coach Monty Williams and the Phoenix Suns are steadily increasing the winning culture in the desert by improving the depth chart and personnel, so let’s dive into what the projected starting lineup should look like with the certain locks, players on the fringe of being a starter, and who the potential break-ins could be as the 2020-21 NBA season looms closer.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/18/phoenix-suns-starting-lineup-locks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Locks </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:734px;">Phoenix Suns Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images</p>
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<h2>Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup: Locks</h2>
<p>Not much is expected to change within the Phoenix Suns starting lineup that went 8-0 in the bubble besides the new and improved addition at the point guard position. The Suns are coming off a trip to Orlando where they exceeded expectations, and they’ll look to pick up right where they left off with a similar, yet even better starting unit to begin this season.</p>
<p>Monty Williams should have just one key decision to make regarding the starters, so four players should already be absolute locks to start for the Suns.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Suns: Ranking their starting 5 (and Big 3)" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2020/11/25/phoenix-suns-ranking-starting-5-big-3/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/18/phoenix-suns-starting-lineup-locks/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/11/25/phoenix-suns-ranking-starting-5-big-3/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> Suns: Ranking their starting 5 (and Big 3) </a> </div>
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<h3>Chris Paul</h3>
<p>Following an exceptional season with the OKC Thunder in which he posted averages of 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game on 48.9 percent field goals while exceeding expectations by earning the fifth seed in the playoffs, Chris Paul will look to defy the odds again by leading the Phoenix Suns this time around. The 35-year-old floor general has proved that he’s still one of the best at his position, and now he’ll have another great opportunity to thrive in the desert valley. Phoenix will certainly value the addition of the “Point God” in terms of success and development within their growing culture.</p>
<h3>Devin Booker</h3>
<p>Phoenix’s 24-year-old rising star, Devin Booker, is bound to have another spectacular season after earning his first All-Star appearance last year. Booker should excel once again, especially with the arrival of CP3 as his partner in the backcourt, as the Suns push for a postseason berth. With Booker locked in under contract as a Phoenix Sun long-term, he’ll be the driving force of how far the Suns go this season and throughout the near future.</p>
<h3>Mikal Bridges</h3>
<p>Mikal Bridges broke his way into the starting lineup last season and never looked back. He ended up starting 32 games for the Suns while proving his abilities on both ends of the floor. Mostly known for his defensive presence, Bridges will complement Booker, Paul and Ayton effectively, but his starting role gained traction based on his improvements shooting the basketball. Along with averaging 1.4 steals per game last season, he shot 51.0 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from beyond the arc. He’ll be a starter at one of the forward positions again as long as that trend continues. Entering his third NBA season now, Mikal Bridges should be a lock to start alongside Phoenix’s deadly trio.</p>
<h3>Deandre Ayton</h3>
<p>There seems to be high expectations for Deandre Ayton this season as the 22-year-old big man enters his third season as well. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick hasn’t experienced much winning so far in his NBA career, but this is the year where it should all change. With the opportunity to now play beside Chris Paul, Ayton should be able to consistently put up big numbers and excel at his role each night. The Suns have recently done an excellent job building around he and Booker and surrounding them with complementary pieces, so it’s time Ayton ultimately proves why he was a first overall pick.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/18/phoenix-suns-starting-lineup-locks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Fringe Options </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:740px;">Phoenix Suns Photo by Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images</p>
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<h2>Phoenix Suns Starting Lineup: Fringe</h2>
<p>With four players already locks to be in the opening night starting lineup for the Phoenix Suns, Monty Williams and the coaching staff will likely have to decide between who receives the other forward spot.</p>
<h3>Cameron Johnson</h3>
<p>As a rookie, Cam Johnson was inserted into the Phoenix Suns starting lineup late last season after forward Kelly Oubre Jr. injured his knee. Johnson clearly made the most out of that opportunity as Phoenix went undefeated during their impressive bubble journey, and he’s built a pretty solid case to continue to start for the Suns to begin the 2020-21 season. The 24-year-old sharpshooter is an outstanding floor spacer that shot 39.0 percent from 3-point range in his rookie season, so his abilities would flourish alongside the other starters. Cam Johnson should be the favorite to start at the other forward position for the Suns to keep the momentum and chemistry at its advantage.</p>
<h3>Jae Crowder</h3>
<p>Phoenix signed Jae Crowder to a three-year, $29.1 million deal during free agency, and it may go down as one of the most underrated additions of the offseason. Crowder was an impactful piece toward the Miami Heat’s NBA Finals run, and although he’s been on several teams now, his presence has been felt everywhere he’s been. The 30-year-old veteran could earn the starting role at power forward during some games, especially with his defensive value, but the coaching staff may opt to initially place him as the sixth man, at least for now.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/18/phoenix-suns-starting-lineup-locks/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Potential Break-Ins </a>
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<span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA Predictions: 2020-21 NBA win total projections </a> </div>
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