The Phoenix Suns are back to game action. 

The Suns are opening up a five-game preseason slate on Monday in a road contest against the Detroit Pistons.

This contest will prove to be a test for second-year head coach Jordan Ott, regardless of who plays or not, but it also sets up several rising stars within the Phoenix organization to show out as a new year comes into focus.

We discuss the three key players to watch below, with a variety of factors driving these picks - including matchups, reshaped roles that are coming about, and in monitoring how these players fit alongside new teammates that are integrating into a new structure.

Ighodaro is opening year three up as the projected starting center. The Marquette product is taking most first-team reps during Phoenix's training camp practices, which points to him receiving the start Monday. 

Keep an eye on the 6'10" big man and how he adapts to the new-look starting unit. The Arizona native has the requisite athleticism, passing ability, and play finishing to fit like a glove alongside new acquisition Miles Bridges.

The two other areas to examine are where Ighodaro stands as a rebounder and shooting threat. These are the next steps in the former second-round draft pick making a jump.

Green is heading into year two with the Suns, which is coming into focus without a hamstring issue that hampered much of last season.

The 2021 lottery selection is projecting to take on a greater on-ball role, with serving as a de-facto point guard not being out of question. 

It will be fascinating to see how the work Green put in with Steve Nash over the offseason translates, and if the guard pacing himself more frequently results in a more efficient scoring front.

Peat is perhaps the most interesting player to keep an eye on in the opener. This is obviously the professional debut of Phoenix's first-round pick, but the 19-year-old has a real opportunity to prove that he is more than NBA-ready. 

The Pistons are an ideal matchup for Peat to showcase his physicality, athleticism, and finishing ability, if he is to see the floor. 

Watch how the Arizona product adjusts to the speed of the game, how effective the forward is at screen-setting, and just how aggressive he will be on the offensive side of the ball in a high-stakes debut.