As the Suns' ultimate x-factor, the explosive guard must balance elite scoring with playmaking growth to unlock Phoenix’s offensive ceiling and rebound from a career-low season.
No member of the Phoenix Suns faces pressure to the degree of Jalen Green in the season to come.
Green, entering year six in the NBA, is Phoenix's definitive x-factor in 2026-27. The former number two overall pick needs to take a major leap forward - read more about expectations, an area of improvement, and a major storyline following Green in below.
Reasonable Expectations for Green This Season
Green is coming off of a career-low 32 games played, as well as a sub-20 points per contest effort.
While the G-League Ignite alum is part of a high-volume lineup within the starting five, there should be pockets for the 24-year-old to show his scoring chops, as well as possible growth as a playmaker.
The most reasonable expectation for Green in 2026-27 is a 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists per-game average, while showing greater scoring efficiency and a playmaking leap in the process. Also expect the California native to play a much higher volume of games in comparison to the year before.
Area of Improvement for Green
There's little doubt that Green must improve in a myriad of areas to become the player that the Suns' organization believes he can be.
Defense, attacking the hoop, and consistency from beyond the arc are all areas of emphasis, but the expected jump in playmaking burden is on the table for the potential de-facto point guard.
This is where rim pressure ties in, as Green's explosive athleticism should be properly leveraged to create advantages for spot-up shooters on the perimeter, as well as Phoenix's crew of play finishers - including center Mark Williams.
Just how much Green grows as an all-encompassing playmaker is the potential key to determining just hoe high Phoenix's ceiling is as a team.
Balance Between Scoring and Playmaking is Key
The Suns are already well-endowed in the scoring department, as Green and forwards Dillon Brooks/Miles Bridges all have the capability to average over 20 points per night in compliment of star Devin Booker.
The onus is on green in particular to blend his scoring prowess with playmaking sensibilities that are still developing. It's a reasonable expectation that Green takes north of 15 shot attempts per contest, but this must make sense in the context of the Suns' offense.
If Green properly reconciles his high-end scoring ability with natural playmaking instincts, it's a very real proposition that the Suns' offense tangibly improves from year-to-year.
