Durant shuts down Suns point guard concerns without CP3

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant shuts down Suns point guard concerns without Chris Paul

By Vinny Somma | Last updated Oct 3, 2023 12:50 PM ET

With Bradley Beal joining Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix, the Suns have what many consider the most vaunted scoring trio in the NBA. However, the deal for Beal sent future Hall of Famer Chris Paul to Washington and thus gutted the roster at point guard.

Despite failing to directly replace Paul — who Washington subsequently traded to Golden State — Durant has zero concerns regarding the point guard spot in Phoenix. With the NBA shifting to a more positionless game in recent years, the former MVP is confident the Suns can compete with their slew of scorers moonlighting as ball-handlers.

“I don't think you have a true position, anything. I think a lot of guys can help play each position now," Durant said at media day. "We've been talking about the last few years, positionless basketball. Book has brought the basketball up his whole career; Brad and myself have done the same thing. I'm sure it'd be done by committee, if anything."

There is a conversation about Phoenix not having a true star point guard

KD isn’t worried about the chatter…catch all our Season Preview shows here: https://t.co/IHMBxr3V1a @TermineRadio | @JumpShot8 | @SiriusXMSports pic.twitter.com/bmaXP1mbBI
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 3, 2023

While point guard duties will likely be manned by numerous players this season, Beal is expected to get the first crack. In July, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Beal is expected to enter training camp as the team's starting point guard.

Beal, a player with multiple 30-plus PPG scoring seasons under his belt, isn't a traditional point guard. However, much like Booker and Durant, he's had occasions where he has served as the primary ball-handler for his team, especially in recent seasons. After averaging three assists over his first five seasons, Beal has posted 4.4 APG in each of the past six seasons, including 5.4-plus APG in four of the last five.

Despite Beal's capabilities of manning the role, Booker may ultimately prove to be the ideal answer at point guard.

Before Paul joined the Suns in 2020-21, Booker was trending toward a more ball-dominant role, averaging 6.7 APG from 2018-19 through 2019-20. Furthermore, the three-time All-Star averaged 7.2 APG in last season's playoffs with Paul hobbled by injury, including six outings where he dished out at least eight dimes.

And if all else fails, there's a new big man in town willing to try out the role.

"I'm a point guard now."

Jusuf Nurkic on what Devin Booker told him as his passing is one of his strengths. #Suns pic.twitter.com/FqJaC1FU56
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) October 2, 2023

Regardless of which player Phoenix lands on at point guard — if any — its elite scoring chops should keep the Suns highly relevant in the Western Conference.

Vinny Somma

Vinny Somma boasts nearly a decade of experience as a sports writer and editor. He held the positions of NBA and UFC Editor at Heavy. Prior to this role, he acted as the lead contributor for Heavy's coverage of the New York Giants, Boston Celtics and Fantasy Football.

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