One Change Suns Could Make to Fix Losing Woes
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns are in a concerning spot with less than a month remaining in the 2023-24 season.
The Suns sit at 39-29 - which would have been more than good enough to escape the Western Conference play-in tournament last season.
But this isn't last season.
The Suns are currently sitting in the eight seed out West, with the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings finishing the season with considerably lighter schedules.
Phoenix head man Frank Vogel has one simple lineup fix that could go a long way for the Suns' prospects over the next month of the season: insert Royce O'Neale into the starting lineup in place of Grayson Allen.
This would obviously be an extraordinarily difficult decision to make, as Allen has been a true model of consistency this season on the offensive end (and has started every single game he has appeared in).
The unfortunate truth is that Allen's physical limitations as a defender have showed over the last week - and that may be something that Vogel will have a more difficult time to scheme around as Kevin Durant's offensive responsibilities increase.
O'Neale is an ultra-versatile wing that notably has 26 playoff starts under his belt.
He has also been one of the biggest positives while on the floor in a Suns uniform - even when his shot isn't falling consistently.
One may argue that this would hurt continuity, but the former Brooklyn Net has fit impeccably since his arrival in Phoenix over a month ago. If anything, this shows that coach Vogel is playing with house money and the supporting cast is in a much better place than one may assume at this stage.
Allen will obviously still get an ample amount of playing time and a sizable role, but O'Neale's potential ability to guard 2 through 4 on the floor while also rarely turning the ball over make him the optimal fifth starter over the stretch run.
