Suns' Backcourt Puzzle: Where Does Jalen Green Fit Next to Booker?

The Suns spent the offseason debating a question that matters more for your fantasy roster than for Phoenix's win total: does Jalen Green start next to Devin Booker, or does someone steadier run the point? Green played just 32 games last season (2025-26) while putting up 17.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists — good for 28.2 fantasy points per game and a #110 overall ranking in our model. That's a lot of missed time for a player the front office wants at the center of its backcourt.

The wrinkle is that Green isn't a true point guard, and neither is Booker. That's the crux of the internal debate — some want a lead ballhandler alongside Book, but the realistic plan is to let Green and Booker log heavy minutes together and figure out the fit on the fly. One idea floated: chasing Darius Garland from the Clippers, a natural point guard who averaged 6.7 assists and 32.4 fantasy points per game last season (2025-26). Problem is, Phoenix already traded away the draft capital that would make such a deal attractive.

The Rotation Actually Matters More Than the Starting Five

Here's the sharper read for fantasy purposes: who tips off is close to irrelevant. The expectation is that Booker and Green each play around 30 minutes, with backup guard Collin Gillespie soaking up similar run and matchups dictating who closes. New coach Ott's flexibility with substitutions will shape the numbers far more than the opening lineup card. Translation — Green's minutes look secure regardless of the starter label, which is what you actually care about.

Then there's Miles Bridges, the offseason's eyebrow-raising addition. He's a durable, underrated playmaker who logged 77 games last season (2025-26) — a stark contrast to Green's 32 — averaging 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists for 30.5 fantasy points per game. That availability alone makes him the more reliable weekly play, even if his last five games dipped 1.8 fantasy points below his season average.

The Fantasy Fallout

Green's the higher-ceiling name and his recent form is trending up — he's been +5.2 fantasy points above his season average over his last five games (2025-26). But 32 games played tells you everything about the floor. Hold him if you own him: the starting role should hold, and the upside is real when he's healthy. Just don't pay a premium to acquire him until he proves the body will cooperate. Bridges is the safer floor at #87 overall; Garland stays a Clipper unless something drastic shifts.