GLENDALE – New team, new environment and new position? New Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green’s arrival in the Valley has brought a lot of questions. The 23-year-old’s playstyle is fascinating to dissect, which ESPN has taken noticed. NBA analyst Kevin Pelton and Chris Herring wrote about the top 14 newcomers for the 2025-2026 season, with Green finding himself at the No. 10 spot.
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Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the second quarter of game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Pelton on what Green can bring Suns:
“The former No. 2 pick gets a new start — and a new position — in Phoenix after the Durant trade. The Suns are expecting Green to start at point guard alongside Devin Booker, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. Green showed only modest playmaking in four seasons with the Rockets, topping out at 3.7 APG. And Green hasn’t yet been an effective pick-and-roll ball handler. Screens for him have resulted in just .95 points per chance the past two seasons, 33rd among the 40 players who have run at least 2,500 pick-and-rolls according to GeniusIQ.”
Mar 2, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) reacts in front of Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Pelton discussed Green’s alleged position change, according to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, of him playing at the point. This would be a massive mistake for Phoenix to do, as the young guard’s skillset isn’t beneficial to being the main ballhandler. Green’s slashing and handles are his strong suits but being the facilitator of an offense isn’t.
Green has never averaged over four assists in a season, which was the same case for new teammate Devin Booker in his first two seasons. The franchise-leading scorer was seen as the only true offensive weapon in his early seasons, and he played like it early with little ball movement.
Mar 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) dribbles the ball as Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
However, as the talent surrounding Booker improved, so did his playmaking and spreading the rock. Despite having All-Star teammates like Alperen Sengun and Fred Vanvleet, Green never took that step. Booker time playing with Chris Paul could’ve been the reason for the 28-year-old’s stellar IQ with the ball in his hands. Green never played with a player the caliber of Paul, and Booker has that opportunity to pass down his knowledge.
Booker is clearly the more talented facilitator and should start the season as the point guard. Despite that fact, Green could learn from the four-time All-Star as the season progress and slowly grow into that role of being the Suns’ starting point guard.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
