The last three Suns drafts have combined to produce the makings of a young, athletic bench mob.
That’s the worst-case scenario. Some starting spots will be up for grabs this fall. For now, the Phoenix-drafted quartet of Alex Len, T.J. Warren, Archie Goodwin and Devin Booker will get a head-start on playing together at the Summer League in Las Vegas. All four figure to play prominent roles, likely as starters.
Logging time as a unit now could give Phoenix a head start on bench chemistry and production later.
“It’s definitely going to help us during the season because we’re probably going to be coming off the bench together,” Len said. “We can work right now on the chemistry and stuff like that so when we get to the season, we’ll be ready.”
It helps that Phoenix’s summer league “core” features complementary skill sets. Alex Len is the inside enforcer on both ends of the floor. Goodwin creates with the ball, on the attack. Warren likes to cut off the ball and/or shoot from mid-range. Booker will tee up from beyond the arc.
Some familiarity is already in place. Warren, Goodwin and Len have played together and against each other in countless practices. The trio logged 51 total minutes together last season, a number that could very well increase in 2015-16.
All four will be under the eye of Summer League coach Nate Bjorkgren. The former Bakersfield head coach saw the potential of Warren and Goodwin up close during their respective D-League assignments last season. He’ll head up player development on the Suns’ staff, which makes the progress of these younger charges one of his highest priorities.
“Chemistry has to be developed in these early stages of practice,” Bjorkgren said. “It just gives a sense of confidence knowing that when you have the ball and you’re going to move it, you’re goin to get it back to be able to make plays. That’s what you’re going to see, is guys really sharing the ball and doing nice things for each other.”