Phoenix Suns Newcomer Feels Great About Second Unit

Continuity is something that the Phoenix Suns are priding themselves on heading into the 2026-27 season. 

The Suns return 12 standard contract players from the 2025-26 season, which is a luxury that many franchises don't have at the moment. 

However, the Suns must integrate three new core rotation pieces in the season ahead - shooting guard Luke Kennard, forward Miles Bridges, and rookie Koa Peat.

Kennard - a new leader of Phoenix's second unit - spoke on how he felt the group gelled together following the game when talking to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.

"Love the way we played, especially in that 1st half. We were playing fast. Getting offensive rebounds. Playing hard. Competing. Playing together."

The starting unit set the tone for the game by contributing greatly to a 35-point first-quarter. 

The second-five of Kennard-Collin Gillespie-Jordan-Goodwin-Ryan Dunn-Khaman Maluach were flashing moments of brilliance in the time they shared the court together. Each player offers at least one constructive trait that raises the floor for the group. 

In Kennard's case, it's thriving as a catch-and-shoot threat. The main purpose Kennard is serving as a member of the Suns is to make-up for the production lost by parting with Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale. 

The Duke product is a 44.2% three-point shooter, but has never been much of a volume shooter. This very well may change in 2026-27, as allusions have been made to Kennard having a green light to unload as many looks from behind the arc as he can.

This point was further explored on Monday, when the two-guard was left open on multiple occasions - the 30-year-old believes that this will be a resounding theme in the season ahead.

"It's been a minute, but I feel like the way that we're going to play, the pace. Just the weapons that we have, it's going to come this year." 

The kinetic, yet measured pace of play and spacing principles that head coach Jordan Ott employs will serve Kennard well this season. The mixing-and-matching that includes Kennard possibly lining up with Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Gillespie will also open a litany of possibilities that result in creating space for the career-long sharpshooter.

Beyond shooting, expect Kennard to see more chances to display underrated playmaking chops and be a difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball in a team-ball manner. 

All things considered, expect Kennard to fit seamlessly in any lineup combination that Ott looks to employ in the season ahead. 

Kennard's second game as a Sun is coming on Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls.