Jeff Hornacek and the Phoenix Suns are still trying to figure some things out after a 3-4 start as the rotation is still not fully set specifically at guard. So far this season the Suns have already used 50 different lineup combinations and Hornacek still has not decided who deserves consistent minutes for the most part. In the first six games Sonny Weems was the first guard off the bench for the Suns but he didn't play a single minute in the last game and may be out of the rotation, according to Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic.
While Weems was the first guard off the bench in the first six games he still wasn't getting too much time as he is averaging just 9.7 minutes per game. In those nine minutes per game Weems has been a relative non-factor as he is averaging just 1.2 points and 2.2 rebounds and has a negative PER. The sample size is small for Weems obviously but he hasn't made the most of his opportunity as his offense has not matched up with his defense, which has actually been pretty good this season.
Weems is in his fourth NBA season but it's his first since 2010-2011 as he played the last four years in Europe. Weems was a second round pick back in 2008 out of Arkansas and he is known for his defense which he has actually provided during his short time on the court so far this season. The problem for him is that when he is on the court the offense struggles big time so that is something that he needs to figure out.
In the Suns game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday Archie Goodwin took Weems' place as the first guard off the bench and he was part of the unit that helped close the gap on a big deficit. Goodwin didn't do much himself to help on offense but he was active on defense and played a role on that side of the ball.
At the end of the game though, it was Devin Booker who got the playing time as Hornacek decided to go with the best offensive option of the bunch. Hornacek has repeatedly said Booker is ready for playing time but he has yet to give it to him consistently. With the other two options not doing much offensively it might be time for Booker to take Weems' spot in the rotation. Hornacek said that playing time will be based on a meritocracy though "Those guys will step up and figure out who gets those minutes."
Right now the best choice seems to be Booker but we will have to wait and see which direction Hornacek will go moving forward. Weems and Goodwin are the two defensive options but Booker is filled with potential and could be a great help on offense.
