Phoenix Suns: Projected 2014 Starting Lineup

Photo Credit: Christian Petersen – Getty Images

Last season, the Phoenix Suns were a ‘feel-good’, surprise team in a tough Western Conference, narrowly missing the playoffs, finishing the year as the ninth seed. If not for injuries, they probably would have ended as a playoff team. With how things look now, barring some outrageous trade for Roy Hibbert, the Suns starting lineup will look something along the lines of this.

Point Guard - Goran Dragic:

The point guard spot in Phoenix has the most depth, but the starting job is already Goran Dragic’s. Isaiah Thomas is going to be playing with a chip on his shoulder all season after his exit from Sacramento, but Dragic cannot let his guard down; Thomas was the starter in Sacramento, so he has the capabilities and talent to steal the job from Dragic.

Dragic is a fantastic story: at the “old” age of 28, he was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player last season. He is a solid outside shooter, hitting 40% of his attempts last season. He was an improved scorer and a good passer, getting lots of run at the one spot, running the offense. He is a good player in this league, and knows what it takes to be the starting point guard on a team with many options, like the Suns have. He’ll be the starting player for the entire season barring any unfortunate injuries.

Shooting Guard – Eric Bledsoe:

This is with the assumption that the Suns will get a contract figured out with the budding young player; the most recent reports state that Bledsoe is leaning towards a one-year, $3.7 million dollar deal with the Suns, making him a free agent the next offseason. With a smaller back court, the Suns are going to need their big men in the paint to protect against the bigger, stronger guards that the Suns will play against in the tough Western Conference.

Bledsoe is a powerfully built smaller player who puts in great effort on both ends of the court each game. He spent half of last season injured but showed signs that point to him becoming a legitimate NBA All-Star in the future. He will definitely hold down the starting spot as the Suns don’t have the best shooting guard depth, but players such as Goran Dragic and Gerald Green will move around positions and spend some time at the two.

Small Forward - Gerald Green:

Gerald Green will have a great opportunity next season if he stays healthy. He will surely get the call to start on the wing, receiving a heaping of minutes due to PJ Tucker’s suspension. Although Tucker will look to challenge for minutes when he returns, Green will likely become the starter.

Green is one of the best athletes in the NBA. He can shoot the three, but he’s not the best shooter, but he can get the job done, and he can be clutch. He can be a better defender with some more effort, and he can be a force on the offensive end when he is on fire from three, because he can get inside and he is one of the better dunkers in the NBA.

With a strong season he could be up winning NBA’s Most Improved Player award. With better consistency he’ll be one of the better players in the Suns organization.

Power Forward - Markieff Morris:

Last season, the slightly older Morris twin played great which will most likely be rewarded with the starting spot in the coming season. His brother, Marcus Morris, will likely challenge for starts and minutes, but Markieff Morris will open the season as the starting power forward.

Morris isn’t the best three-point shooter, but he can hit the three, shooting 30% from beyond the arc last season. He can run the floor and get points in transition while providing a few rebounds. He isn’t an outstanding NBA player, but he gets the job done.

Center - Miles Plumlee:

Miles Plumlee played at a level that you would like to get from the first big man off the bench last year. The Suns also have a great young player at the center position in Alex Len, and he would like to challenge Plumlee for minutes, maybe even starts if he puts in the necessary work to improve his game over the summer, and into training camp.

Plumlee is not a shot blocker, but he can intimidate those driving to the basket. He is a reliable rebounder, but he should look to improve that aspect of his game if he wants to be a starter. Look at DeAndre Jordan for instance: he is dominant off the boards and only provides garbage points on dunks, and layups, yet he still holds down a legitimate starting spot. If Plumlee can rebound better and provide decently on the offensive end, he should surely hold down the starting spot, and get valuable experience this coming season.