The 2026-27 regular season is just days away for the Phoenix Suns.

Just days remain before the Suns take on the Portland Trail Blazers in the opener on Oct. 21.

While a new campaign brings much excitement with it, there is also a level of anxiety surrounding the new-look squad - at least from within the fanbase.

A large piece of this equation resides in questions on how the starting lineup will gel over the course of the season.

Kellan Olson (Arizona Sports) is one of those skeptics. He believes that the starting unit won't gel together until some point in January, which would cost the team precious time in a tight race to make the postseason.

Below are important areas to monitor in this conversation, including possible in-season decisions.

Olson brought up the valid claim that the Suns began shifting from Mark Williams to Oso Ighodaro as the 2025-26 season went on - injury or no injury.

This creates a possible parallel in 2026-27. 

While the hope is that Jalen Green takes a major leap forward (particularly as a playmaker), there is room for discussion to start Collin Gillespie in the event of a slow start. 

Gillespie is a stronger fit alongside Devin Booker on paper, as well as a more consistent shooter and a more pressing defender. The Suns are investing too much into Green to give in too easily, but they need to evaluate all options in an effort to maximize the team's ceiling - even if it's potentially making a tough decision.

There isn't a single member of the current starting unit that shot higher than 35% on three-point attempts. 

While Booker, Brooks, and even Bridges have had above-average seasons from behind the arc, Brooks is the most recent to be significantly above-average. 

Yes, the margins are thin between being an below and above-average three-point shooter. However, the demonstrated volatility in this department threatens to cap the ceiling of the offense unless the coaching staff properly addresses it. 

The five-man arrangement at hand provides a decent team-rebounding dynamic. Despite this, there's no "dominant" player on the boards like there would be under the premise of Williams being active. 

Ighodaro has an opportunity to take another step forward on the defensive glass, while Brooks and Bridges provide upside in this department as well. 

Ultimately, this group will need to balance buy-in on defense with learning how to work together in a sustainable manner offensively.