Led by Collin Gillespie’s record-breaking shooting and elite defensive versatility, Phoenix’s revamped second unit provides the tactical depth necessary to bolster the star-studded starting lineup’s championship aspirations.
There will be a large amount of fanfare tied to the Phoenix Suns in the upcoming season will focus on the starting lineup.
The "core four" of Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Miles Bridges will account for a large percentage of Phoenix's scoring efforts in the 2026-27 campaign, but the bench is bringing their own gravitas to the court.
The bench unit starts and stops with Collin Gillespie. The Villanova product is now the all-time single season leader in three-point looks made for the franchise, enabling his case to drive the bench unit forward. Gillespie's shotmaking, ability to play on/off-ball, and positive defensive traits make him easily translatable between the bench/starting lineup.
Beyond Gillespie is the versatile guard/wing duo of Rasheer Fleming and Jordan Goodwin. Each standout provides positive value in different forms. Goodwin's defensive IQ, 6'10" wingspan, and quick reaction times allow him to span positions on that side of the ball.
Offensively, Goodwin provides a "swing skill" as an offensive rebounder that inherently makes the Saint Louis product a positive. The 6'3" guard is also continually improving as a spot-up shooter, further justifying the case for head coach Jordan Ott to gift playing time out.
As for Fleming, the second-year wing brings a 7'5" wingspan to the table, instantly making the Saint Joseph's product a viable defender in the lane. While Fleming is still a work-in-progress on offense, he is not ball dominant, and is rapidly developing as a catch-and-shoot threat.
A pair of newcomers add different layers of positive impact to the unit on paper to put a bow on everything. Incoming shooting guard Luke Kennard is a veteran that brings a career 44.2% three-point conversion rate to the Phoenix offense. The Suns will likely need Kennard to up the volume, but the Duke alum fits nicely across different lineups in theory.
Rookie Koa Peat may not play much immediately, but the Arizona native does offer a high motor, rebounding capabilities, and a high motor that is infectious in many cases.
All in all, the Suns' bench unit doesn't provide a lofty ceiling that the starting unit does - and this isn't necessarily a negative.
The shooting prowess, defensive versatility, and lack of need for the ball make various members of the bench ideal candidates to shape the Phoenix season, as well as to possibly be mixed-and-matched in lineup combinations with starting players.
