As the Phoenix Suns dive into preseason preparations, their revamped roster brings a mix of promise and early hurdles. Jalen Green, the dynamic guard acquired in that blockbuster seven-team trade over the summer, was expected to electrify the backcourt alongside Devin Booker. But indeed, a nagging low-grade hamstring strain has kept him out of the team's opener against the Mavericks. It's a frustrating setback for a player who averaged 19.6 points last season with Houston, now tasked with filling some big shoes after Kevin Durant's departure.
Moreover, Nigel Hayes-Davis emerges as an under-the-radar addition, signing for the veteran minimum in a move that underscores the Suns' savvy roster tweaks. The 30-year-old forward, with his overseas pedigree and reliable three-point stroke—hitting over 40% in recent EuroLeague stints—offers spacing that Phoenix desperately needs. However, skeptics wonder if his defensive limitations will hold up in the paint-heavy West. Still, in a lineup craving shooters, Hayes-Davis could carve out meaningful minutes, especially as the team experiments with lineups during training camp.
Then there's Khaman Maluach, the 7-foot-2 South Sudanese center whose draft rights came bundled in the same trade that landed Green and Dillon Brooks. At just 19, Maluach turned heads in Summer League with his athleticism and rim protection, blocking shots like a seasoned vet. Already, veterans like Grayson Allen are raving about his quick adaptation to NBA speed. Yet, with Mark Williams also nursing an ankle tweak, the rookie might see early action at center—a bold gamble for a franchise rebuilding around youth and Booker.
The Suns' front office, under new GM Brian Gregory, has slashed payroll and infused energy, but questions linger about chemistry. Will Green's explosiveness mesh with Booker's playmaking? Can Hayes-Davis provide the glue without dragging down the pace? And how soon until Maluach anchors the defense? These pieces, acquired amid a whirlwind offseason, hint at a brighter path, though preseason tests will reveal the real story.
In the end, as the Suns chase relevance in a stacked conference, one can't help but ponder if this trio truly signals a turnaround—or just another layer in Phoenix's ongoing evolution.