Key Storylines to Watch as the Phoenix Suns Approach the 2023-24 NBA Season
With the NBA season just weeks away, the Phoenix Suns face pivotal questions about their center rotation, three-point shooting, and coaching adjustments as they prepare for a campaign filled with both opportunity and uncertainty.
The familiar buzz of anticipation is building as the NBA season draws nearer, and for those covering the Phoenix Suns, the rhythm of the basketball calendar is about to take over once again. Five weeks from opening night, the franchise stands at a critical juncture where several developing storylines could shape their entire season. From a young center suddenly thrust into the spotlight to questions about offensive identity and coaching evolution, the Suns face challenges that will test their adaptability and resilience.
The Sudden Opportunity for Khaman Maluach
Mark Williams' torn labrum during a recent scrimmage has created an unexpected opening for second-year big man Khaman Maluach. This injury represents more than just a temporary lineup change - it's a potential turning point in the young center's career. After appearing in just 46 games last season while averaging only 8.9 minutes, Maluach now faces the daunting prospect of filling Williams' 23.6 minutes per game from last season. The physical demands alone represent a significant leap, but the mental challenge may prove even greater as opposing teams study his game and target weaknesses.
The cautionary tale of Victor Wembanyama's late-season fatigue in last year's playoffs, when his minutes jumped from 29.2 during the regular season to 39.8 in the Finals, serves as a reminder about managing young big men's workloads. For the Suns' coaching staff, finding the right balance between developing Maluach and protecting him from overexposure will be crucial. His performance could range from dominant displays to exhausted struggles as he adjusts to the NBA's nightly grind.
Williams' injury history adds another layer of complexity to this situation. With previous issues affecting his foot, back, thumb, ankle, and knee, this latest setback raises legitimate concerns about his long-term durability. The $26.3 million remaining on his contract over the next two seasons looms as a significant roster consideration if he can't return to full health. For now, all eyes turn to Maluach, whose development could either solve a temporary problem or reveal a more permanent solution at center.
Reconstructing the Three-Point Attack
Phoenix's offensive identity faces a substantial recalibration after losing Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale, who together accounted for 29.1% of the team's three-point attempts last season while shooting 38.1% from deep. These departures leave a significant void in a system that ranked fifth in three-point attempt rate (45.3%) and derived 39.3% of its total points from beyond the arc last season. The addition of Luke Kennard helps, but his career low volume (2.8 attempts per game) makes him more of a specialist than a primary solution.
The projected starting lineup presents particular concerns from long range. A combination of Jalen Green, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges, and Mark Williams has combined for just 34.7% from three over their careers. This puts tremendous pressure on bench shooters like Collin Gillespie (40.5% career) and Kennard to maintain spacing, but replicating last season's output seems unlikely. The Suns' late-game execution last season was especially troubling, with 47.7% of their clutch shots coming from three (third-highest rate) but converting at just 31.3% (24th in the league).
Head coach Jordan Ott now faces the challenge of redesigning an offense that set franchise records for three-point frequency without abandoning the spacing principles that define modern NBA basketball. The solution may require better shot selection, more creative play design, or an increased emphasis on mid-range scoring - all while maintaining the offensive firepower that makes Phoenix dangerous.
Jordan Ott's Second-Year Challenge
For the first time since the 2022-23 season, the Suns begin a campaign with a returning head coach - a notable departure from their recent history of instability at the position. Jordan Ott now enters the crucible of his sophomore season, where the challenge shifts from implementation to evolution. With opponents now possessing a full season's worth of scouting data on Phoenix's tendencies, Ott must demonstrate his ability to counter-adjust rather than simply install his initial system.
The team's post-All-Star break performance last season (13-14 record, scoring down 3.1 points per game) suggests opponents began solving some of Ott's schemes as the year progressed. His response to these challenges will define Phoenix's ceiling this season. The organization prioritized continuity this offseason, giving Ott the opportunity to build on existing foundations rather than start from scratch. However, the true test will be whether he can develop new wrinkles that keep opponents guessing while maintaining the defensive identity that fueled their better stretches last year.
Ott's ability to manage rotations, make in-game adjustments, and develop young players like Maluach will all be under scrutiny. For a franchise that has cycled through coaches in recent years, this represents both an opportunity and a pressure point. The development of a more consistent offensive identity while maintaining defensive intensity could determine whether the Suns remain Western Conference contenders or regress toward the middle of the pack.
The Broader Implications
These interconnected storylines represent more than just seasonal subplots - they speak to Phoenix's broader organizational direction. The Suns find themselves needing to thread multiple needles simultaneously: developing young talent while competing now, reshaping offensive identity without proven personnel, and evolving coaching strategies while maintaining defensive principles. Their ability to handle these challenges could determine whether they remain firmly in the Western Conference's upper echelon or slide into the play-in tournament morass.
For a franchise that has often prioritized short-term moves over sustainable building, this season represents a potential inflection point. The development of Maluach offers a rare chance to cultivate homegrown talent alongside established stars. The offensive adjustments may reveal whether the team can succeed with less three-point dependency. And Ott's sophomore campaign could show whether Phoenix has finally found coaching stability or if another reset looms.
As the season's start draws nearer, these questions hang over the organization. The answers will begin unfolding in just five weeks, with little margin for prolonged experimentation in a loaded Western Conference. For Suns fans and observers alike, the journey promises to be as compelling as the destination.