As the week began, a question mark hung over the Phoenix Suns’ starting wing positions with Dillon Brooks still sidelined. Devin Booker’s return from injury meant either Jalen Green or Ryan Dunn would be relegated to the bench. Coach Jordan Ott and his staff chose to retain Green in the starting five and move Dunn to the reserves, a decision that many fans believe is misguided, suggesting Green would be better suited leading the second unit.
Given Green’s offensive inconsistencies and his relatively smaller stature, it’s understandable why almost two-thirds of the fanbase advocates for him to move to the bench. This week, he showcased glimpses of his potential, delivering two of his best performances: a 20-point outing on 44% shooting against the Kings, and a 25-point, 47% shooting display versus the Pelicans on Friday. However, this was juxtaposed with a notably inefficient game on Thursday, where the team suffered an upset loss to the Bulls, and Green managed only 25% from the field on 20 attempts.
Returning from a hamstring injury, the fifth-year guard has struggled to integrate smoothly into the Suns’ offensive scheme. His poor three-point accuracy, currently a career-low 27%, has demonstrably impacted the team’s overall perimeter shooting. With Green on the court, the Suns convert 34.8% of their three-pointers; without him, that figure rises to 36.3%.
Despite these challenges, the Suns have maintained a strong performance recently. Although they suffered an unexpected loss to the Chicago Bulls as heavy favorites (favored by over 10 points), Phoenix has secured three victories out of their last four contests, keeping them well-positioned in the hunt for a top-six playoff seed.
Though perhaps not a permanent fix, transitioning Green to a bench role might better enable him to leverage his playmaking skills. This move would undoubtedly reduce his minutes alongside Devin Booker, the primary playmaker for Phoenix, thereby granting Green increased freedom to excel in his strengths. He could operate alongside Grayson Allen, who is currently enjoying a career-best season in three-pointers made per game, exceeding his previous high by over half a shot. Green appears to require more space on the court as he continues his recovery from an extended period of absence.
Furthermore, given Mark Williams’ multi-week absence, integrating Green into the second unit wouldn’t disrupt existing bench chemistry. Oso Ighodaro has already stepped into the starting center role due to Williams’ injury, meaning the reserve squad is already accustomed to lineup adjustments.
Have the fans accurately assessed the situation? The decision is yours.