The Phoenix Suns are gearing up for their 2025 season with a highly competitive battle for the backup point guard position, featuring Jared Butler and Jordan Goodwin. This rivalry is generating discussion around how these two guards might fit into the Suns’ plans alongside the established starting backcourt of Devin Booker and Jalen Green.
Both Butler and Goodwin have joined the Suns’ training camp with aspirations of securing the third point guard spot, bringing differing skill sets and backgrounds. This competition is seen as a strategic move by the Suns to deepen their guard rotation and potentially boost team performance on both ends of the floor.
Distinct Styles of Jared Butler and Jordan Goodwin
Jordan Goodwin is praised for his defensive tenacity and ability to disrupt opponents at the point of attack, a quality that Phoenix badly needs to bolster their perimeter defense. However, his shooting remains a concern, limiting his versatility on offense.
In contrast, Jared Butler is viewed as having significant offensive potential, especially as a facilitator who can efficiently distribute the ball to scorers like Booker and Green. His college career at Baylor, where he earned NCAA tournament MVP honors during the 2021 championship run, suggests a high ceiling for his development as a primary point guard.
As one analyst noted,
“If you need someone to feed Booker or Green, then go with Butler, who has the highest amount of potential to develop into a PG. Is the opposing team’s bench PG just running amok? Then insert Goodwin to shut him down.”
—Ashton, Contributor
Despite their complementary talents, there is some skepticism about whether either player is a natural pure point guard. Both have shown traits of combo guards, blending point guard and shooting guard responsibilities, which may influence their long-term roles in the Suns’ system.
Training Camp Dynamics and Roster Decisions
The Suns’ coaching staff and front office are closely monitoring the competition among Butler, Goodwin, and existing guard Landry Gillespie, who impressed with hustle and grit during limited minutes last season. Gillespie is roughly the same age as Goodwin, while Butler is younger, adding an intriguing generational factor to the mix.
One perspective emphasized the benefits of this contest:
“Competition is always good, and with so many new players, fit and chemistry are hard to predict. Having Gillespie, Goodwin, and Butler competing for what looks like two backup guard spots is a great thing.”
—OldAz, Analyst
Contracts also come into play, as neither Butler nor Goodwin holds fully guaranteed deals, contrasting with Collin Gillespie’s secure contract. This creates uncertainty about the final makeup of the backup point guard rotation, though keeping three guards at this position is unlikely due to roster limitations.
“Could they wind up keeping all three? Sure, but I doubt they will. Rosters have enough spots to go three deep in every position but not four.”
—Rod, Analyst
Impact of Newcomers on Suns’ Future Success
While much attention is on the point guard competition, other Phoenix Suns newcomers like Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Mark Williams are also expected to play pivotal roles in the upcoming season. Each brings unique strengths that could shape the team’s performance on both ends.
Jalen Green is anticipated to provide additional scoring punch and ball-handling relief for Booker, potentially opening up more offensive opportunities. Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks offers a defensive presence meant to catalyze improvement and toughness throughout the team’s defensive efforts.
Mark Williams, a relatively unproven center, is seen as a key factor if he can maintain health and consistency. His presence could address long-standing needs in the center position for the Suns.
“If [Williams] can just play in 60+ games this season, I think he will have a big impact on how successful the team could be. I’m excited to see a Suns center who is both talented and motivated.”
—Rod, Analyst
Front Office Strategies Before Training Camp
As training camp approaches, fan speculation swirls around potential further moves by the Suns’ front office. However, opinions vary on whether the team should make additional roster changes before the season starts.
Some urge patience, pointing to the need for the new coach, general manager, and players to establish alignment and continuity first. Veteran voices advise against rushing into trades or signings without clear benefits or fitting pieces.
“There is now a new coach, new GM, and a bunch of new players that have not had the chance to play with each other. The word alignment has become the new Suns’ buzzword.”
—Ashton, Contributor
Others suggest exploring moves involving underutilized players such as Cameron Johnson, Torrey Craig, or JaVale McGee to acquire future draft assets or better roster fits. Still, most agree that substantial trades, especially costly ones, should be avoided unless a clear advantage is presented.
“If the Suns can somehow swing a splashier trade cheaply, that would be fine too, but they shouldn’t overpay for anyone.”
—Rod, Analyst
Historical Context and Team Trivia
Looking back, the Suns have a rich history of memorable moments and player achievements, some of which provide context for the current roster’s aspirations. For instance, the sale of the Northern Arizona Suns G League team in 2020 marked a shift in minor league affiliation for Phoenix, coinciding with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Suns also made a remarkable run in the NBA Bubble following the pandemic suspension, winning all eight seeding games before narrowly missing the playoffs, with Coach Monty Williams and Devin Booker receiving accolades for their performances during that period.
In terms of individual scoring feats, the Suns have seen six players reach the rare milestone of 50+ points in a single game. Devin Booker leads with eight such performances, illustrating the franchise’s legacy of offensive brilliance dating from Tom Chambers in 1990 to Booker’s recent 52-point game in 2024.
Upcoming Schedule and Key Dates to Watch
The Suns’ preseason slate begins on October 3 with a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers, followed by international preseason contests versus the Brooklyn Nets in China on October 10 and 12. The regular season will open on October 21, setting the stage for a high-stakes campaign.
Further ahead, the NBA All-Star Weekend is scheduled for February 13-15, 2026, in Los Angeles, an event that often serves as a midway benchmark for assessing team and player progress.
Community Engagement and Fan Opinions
Fan input remains a vital part of Suns discourse, with recent polls revealing strong support for rookie Koby Brea, who impressed during Summer League games and is viewed as having significant long-term potential, especially as the league continues to emphasize three-point shooting.
“I see no new evidence that the NBA is moving from three-point shooting as a future model, and Brea could have that skill in spades.”
—Ashton, Contributor
Upcoming polls invite fans to rank the Suns among the top, middle, or bottom tiers of NBA teams, encouraging ongoing engagement and debate throughout the season lead-up.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What medical condition does Jared Butler have?
A. When Butler was a freshman at Baylor, he found out he had hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a rare genetic heart condition. Even though he doesn’t show symptoms, this affected his draft prospects. NBA teams are already reluctant to invest in smaller guards, especially those with health issues.