Suns reportedly giving Jalen Green a gigantic responsibility

Booker is clearly more dangerous when he can focus on scoring. Back when he played next to Chris Paul, his numbers reflected that comfort. 

In 2020-21, their first year together, he averaged 25.6 points per game on nearly 49% shooting from the field. In 2021-22, his scoring number jumped to 26.8. 

By 2022-23, Booker was at 27.8 points per game with CP3 still around. His efficiency was elite, and the Suns’ offense had flow because Paul took care of the table-setting while Booker focused on punishing defenses. That’s the blueprint they’re trying to replicate again — but now with Green instead of a Hall of Famer.

Green is super talented. He just averaged 21 points per game for the Rockets last season, playing all 82 games. He’s electric in transition, has the athleticism to beat defenders off the dribble and can heat up fast. 

But he’s never been a consistent decision-maker. His career average of 3.4 assists per game doesn’t exactly scream “primary ball handler.” And even with his usage in Houston, Green hasn’t shown elite feel as a pick-and-roll passer or off-ball connector.

In fact, per Synergy data, Green ranked only around the 68th percentile as a scorer in pick-and-rolls last season — not bad, but not elite. His shot creation can be dynamic, but the playmaking reads still lag behind. That’s fine if you’re a two-guard, but this new role means he’ll be initiating the offense, setting up Devin Booker, Grayson Allen and others and making sure the ball moves. That’s a steep jump in responsibility.

The Suns are clearly banking on upside. At 23, Green still has room to grow. And placing him next to Booker, Allen, Mark Williams, Dillon Brooks, and Ryan Dunn gives him a setting with veteran stability and growing young pieces. He won’t be expected to carry the scoring load — that still falls on Booker — but he will be asked to push the pace, make smart reads, limit turnovers and develop as a true facilitator and efficient scorer.

Still, it’s a gamble. Green hasn’t proven he can be that guy yet. And Booker’s not the type of player you want to waste in a stagnant offense with poor ball movement. With the Suns hoping to contend in the West, they can’t afford to have a question mark at point guard every night.

There’s also the issue of expectations. Green is playing next to a superstar who’s been deep in the playoffs multiple times. There’s pressure to deliver. And with the Suns’ injury history, Green’s importance could grow even more if the team leans on him for more stability than originally planned.

At the end of the day, this move is all about unlocking Booker. Let him go back to his natural game — attacking off the catch, pulling up from midrange and torching switches. That’s the best version of the Suns. Whether or not Green can help bring that out consistently will be one of the biggest storylines of the season in Phoenix.