Faced with early injury setbacks, Coach Jordan Ott could unlock an unconventional five-man rotation blending Devin Booker’s scoring with elite playmaking and tantalizing defensive length.
The Phoenix Suns are working towards making it back to the playoffs for a second consecutive season in 2026-27.
The franchise is facing a direct roadblock in that pursuit, however, as C Mark Williams is already out for the foreseeable future due to a labrum injury.
This isn't necessarily a total disaster for the organization despite the inconvenience. It's obviously not ideal to deal with a key rotation piece missing time at any point, but head coach Jordan Ott has the capacity to make the most of the personnel at hand.
One of the most direct ways to assert the malleability that Ott possesses is by tinkering with different lineup combinations.
There's a distinct chance that lineup below provides ceiling-raising that Phoenix desperately needs in the season ahead.
Phoenix May Benefit From Experimenting With This Lineup
Ott and his staff truly have endless opportunities at hand to curate effective lineups, but there are a select few that raise the ceiling of the team on a game-by-game basis.
This is one of those.
A combination of Devin Booker, Collin Gillespie, Rasheer Fleming, Oso Ighodaro, and Khaman Maluach is one that is unconventional, yet the pieces fit together in exquisite fashion in theory.
Booker, Gillespie and Ighodaro all provide quality playmaking an connectivity on paper. Gillespie and Booker grade high in various playmaking metrics, while Ighodaro is among the most shifty passes amongst big men currently in the league. There's a real chance in which all three compliment each other well in areas such as dribble hand-offs, while Ighodaro can provide playmaking relief out of the high post.
From a scoring perspective, the brunt of the burden is taken on by Booker, but each member of this lineup compliments the 29-year-old in one way or another. Ighodaro is a bruising force in the lane and finishes at a high clip. Maluach has a tantalizing inside-outside game that is on the brink of being unlocked. Gillespie is one of the better volume shooters in the entire NBA. Fleming is a blossoming offensive threat that is especially effective working out of the corner.
Lastly, the length and defensive versatility lend credence to attempting to make this arrangement work. There are three players in the lineup with a wingspan greater than 6'11", which creates opportunities to be disruptive at the rim and in the passing lanes.
Altogether, there is a chance that this lineup combination isn't utilized at all this season. However, the upside and fit make sense in discussion.
