Here are some key storylines to watch for the Phoenix Suns in the preseason: three-point shooting, lineup strategies, and the performance of rookies.

PHOENIX — It’s that time of year again—Phoenix Suns basketball is back! Exciting times ahead!

Preseason kicks off this Sunday in a chic spot next to Los Angeles against the Lakers, followed by four additional matchups to help the team find their rhythm.

While preseason basketball may not have the same level of scrutiny as football, it still offers insights worth noting. Here’s what to keep an eye on:

Let it Fly

Important note: Don’t overreact to the Suns’ three-point attempts from game to game. Expect to see some nights with attempts in the 20s, but the goal is to consistently reach the mid-to-high 30s, and occasionally hit the 40s.

Are the Suns’ intentions clear, even in preseason? Observing where those 3s come from will be crucial. Devin Booker will likely take a few off the dribble, which we’ve seen before as a season opener trend. It’s wise to remain cautious about this. Progress will be measured by how many shots result from smooth ball movement and plays around ball screens.

Who’s Initiating?

Primarily, Tyus Jones should be running the show. However, will we still see Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant starting offensive plays? Are quick outlets still in play, or will the first instinct be to find Jones? Can we expect Jusuf Nurkic to also be involved in this?

It’ll be interesting to see where Monte Morris fits in. Assuming we see at least one or two games with everyone available, having either Jones or Morris on the floor at all times seems like a safe bet. However, the coaching staff might consider giving extra minutes to Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale, aiming to bring both closer to 30 minutes a night off the bench, depending on how solid the offensive foundation appears.

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Building on that discussion, if we see the full rotation in action, it’ll give us insight into potential lineup combinations.

Expect plenty of three-guard lineups and a wide array of combinations. They might even experiment with Allen or O’Neale at the 4 to maximize their minutes. Will the Suns venture deeper by occasionally using a small-ball 5? It’ll be fascinating to see how often Booker and Durant share the court, as well as Beal’s substitution patterns. While it may seem like a stretch for preseason, any unexpected strategies will be noteworthy.

They Actually Have Rookies Now

That’s right! Beal is particularly excited to have some first-year players around to assign rookie duties—a fun tradition involving veterans giving young players tasks to complete. This is especially important during road trips, so Ryan Dunn, Oso Ighodaro, and Jalen Bridges better make sure they grab the right snacks for Beal and the others before heading to the airport.

On a related note, Beal has been impressed with the rookies’ eagerness to learn.

“They are just so attentive to detail,” Beal said. “They want to learn and they want to earn their keep here. They constantly ask me, Book, and K questions throughout the day. I’m excited for them because we’re going to instill a lot in them, and they’ll have a chance to really contribute.”

Dunn is the wing the Suns need, and every shot he takes will be analyzed. Bridges seems more of a plug-and-play rookie with a decent chance to carve out a role. Don’t overlook Ighodaro’s potential for winning the backup 5 spot; he’s showing promise, and if he clicks with the team’s systems, the coaching staff will want to utilize him.

The Only Training Camp Battle (Or Is It?)

It feels like the Suns have solidified nine spots in their rotation. Jones, Booker, Beal, Durant, and Nurkic will make up the starting lineup. The bench will likely include Allen and O’Neale, with Morris and Plumlee serving as backup 1 and 5. That leaves one more spot open for Bol Bol, Damion Lee, Josh Okogie, Bridges, Dunn, and Ighodaro.

Each of these players brings something valuable to the rotation. Bol is the athletic standout, Lee is the sharpshooter, Okogie adds on-ball energy and impressive rebounding for his size, Bridges is the best 3-and-D option, Dunn is the most dynamic defender, and Ighodaro’s mobility provides an extra layer that neither of the other centers can match.

The safe bet might be Bol, coming off a career year and showing promise for Phoenix. While he didn’t earn enough trust defensively to be part of the postseason rotation, if he builds on last season’s success and minimizes mistakes, he could be a key spark plug offensively.