Are the Suns in the Market For a Starting Shooting Guard?

Every time I hear the term “Point Book” all I can think about is Point Break. No, I’m not referring to the months since Eric Bledsoe’s infamous tweet and the fact the Phoenix Suns have been sans point guard since or the parting of ways with Isaiah Canaan earlier this week. I am, in fact, referring to the 1991 cult classic film starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze.

The absurd premise of the film is that former Ohio State star quarterback Johnny Utah (Reeves) is an FBI agent and is sent in undercover --because no one would recognize a guy who was on national television every Saturday in college -- to infiltrate a gang of surfing bank robbers led by Bodhi (Swayze). While playing a role unfamiliar to him, he actually falls in love with it and is torn between who he is and who he’s been asked to become.

It’s crazy and yet somehow reminds me of Devin Booker’s current situation. A man asked to take on an uncomfortable role winds up realizing he’s quite good at it. The only difference is, I can’t imagine any situation where it ends with Book on a beach handcuffed to Igor Kokoskov.

It’s a stretch but the point is, no one ever expected Booker to become a point guard. When he came into the league everyone thought he’d be more Klay Thompson than Steph Curry. But, due to circumstances, he’s had to evolve into more than just a spot up shooter or volume scorer. He’s had to develop into a distributor while still trying to get his own and he’s becoming quite proficient at it.

So does this mean the Suns are really in search of a starting shooting guard rather than a point guard?

The Houston Rockets may hold the answer.

Like Booker, James Harden took on the role of point guard after being known as a scorer and succeeded at it averaging 29 points 11 assists and leading his team to a 55-27 record. Despite immense success, his stay at point guard only lasted one season. When a superstar to pair with Harden became available, Chris Paul, Daryl Morey and Mike D’Antoni shifted their strategy and Harden’s position.

Whether Booker is the Suns long term starter at point is going to be determined by one thing and one thing only. Is there a star available at either the shooting guard spot or the point guard spot that the front office can pair with him to win games.

In the new world order of the NBA it’s a matter of when, not if, a super star will request a trade. The Suns seem ready and willing to pounce if the asking price is right. The team desperately needs a veteran star to run alongside their young guns in Booker and Deandre Ayton and desperate times call for desperate measures. As in, all plans are written in pencil and not pen.

Will Booker stay at the point guard position? Will he return to his more familiar spot at shooting guard? Or will he help the gang of surfers get away despite working for the FBI? The conclusion of Point Book should be interesting no matter how it plays out.