Suns Not Worried About Bradley Beal, Devin Booker Overlap
The Phoenix Suns are nearly a month removed from the massive trade that netted them Bradley Beal, and we've already gotten some answers to prominent questions that followed the deal.
Chris Paul's future was ultimately decided after the Suns parted ways with the 38-year-old point guard, including him in the Washington Wizards deal before he eventually settled with the Golden State Warriors.
That removed a true point guard from Phoenix's lineup, leaving two natural shooting guards in Beal/Devin Booker to roam the backcourt. Though neither have extensive experience operating as a floor general, Booker was utilized often at the point down the stretch of last season, and it's not as if Beal hasn't done the same at various points through his previous tenure in Washington.
With that in mind, there's been some conversations as to how exactly the Suns would look offensively. One anonymous member of the Suns spoke with Spotrac's Keith Smith and addressed that notion:
“Brad (Beal) is going to be a terrific addition to our team. Is there overlap with Devin Booker? Sure. But show me the coach that says they have too much playmaking and scoring and I’ll show the first coach to ever say that. We think he might have his most efficient season ever too, because he’s not going to have to create so much for himself.”
Recently, NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Bradley Beal would be operating as the team's point guard.
"Bradley Beal will enter the 2023-24 training camp as the Suns’ projected starter at point guard, league sources tell The Athletic. Team sources tell The Athletic the Suns like Jordan Goodwin as a backup point guard, who was acquired in the Beal trade. There’s $30 million in tax savings for Phoenix by trading [Cam] Payne," said Charania.
"The Suns have an array of ball-handlers in Beal, Goodwin, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Eric Gordon and two-way guard Saben Lee."
It'll be up to new head coach Frank Vogel to figure out what works best with such an explosive backcourt, though it's apparent the Suns aren't worried about working without a "true" point guard.
