Suns projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
Phoenix Suns starting shooting guard: Devin Booker
Devin Booker has attained full-blown superstar status in Phoenix. His all-time heater in the playoffs was merely the culmination of his special season. A lot of folks chalked up Phoenix as “KD’s team” after the trade, but Booker is the longest-tenured Sun and, frankly, he might still be the team’s best player.
That argument doesn’t really impact the Suns, of course. Both are on the roster and Booker is perfectly suited to thriving off of Durant, and vice versa. Those two established fast chemistry after the trade deadline and a full training camp under Vogel should cement their confidence in each other.
Booker is a deadly three-level scorer. His pull-up shooting development over the last couple years has been positively nutty and he’s a great finisher in the lane, frequently changing speeds and angles to evade his defender on drives to the rim. Need a mid-range bucket? Check. Need a movement 3 off the catch? Check. Need a self-created rim finish? Check. Booker is on the shortlist of best offensive players in the world right now.
Primary backup shooting guard: Eric Gordon
The Suns signed Eric Gordon for the minimum after he was waived by the Clippers. What a steal. Gordon was still receiving significant minutes for a playoff team last season. Before his trade deadline move to LA, he was essentially the Rockets’ best player. At the very least, Houston’s most reliable player.
Now 34 years old, Gordon is starting to slow down. He’s not the same defender he once was in his prime Houston days, but he’s a sturdily built 6-foot-4 guard. He can defend bigger than his listed height and he should be comfortable in three-guard lineups with Beal and Booker. In fact, it’s probably best for Gordon to guard bigger wings at this stage of his career. His lateral quickness will be the first thing to go as Father Time takes control.
Offensively Gordon can still bomb 3s and confidently attack closeouts. He’s a competent stopgap ball-handler if the Suns ever need that and he’s a proven winner. Veterans on minimum contracts are too often overrated, but Gordon was an absolute home-run signing for a Suns team without much financial flexibility.