The Suns did not have a traditional point guard in the starting lineup for most of the 2023/24 season and used shooting guards Devin Booker And Bradley Beal as their primary ball handlers. While booker tells ESPN's Ramona Shelburne that “we were ready to learn and do it,” Beal admits that adjusting to the new role hasn't been smooth.

“They used me more as a facilitator than a scorer, and honestly that kind of worked with my head.” Beal told ESPN. “Literally, I had a whole reflection the whole summer, just like, 'Who are you?' I had to have a real conversation with myself, you know? I took some time to look at myself in the mirror and answer, 'What do I need to do better?' Who am I?' And then we’ll just come back to it.”

Recognizing that a more traditional point guard would help maximize the offensive capabilities of the Suns' stars, the front office entered free agency this summer to address the position with its limited resources. Phoenix was able to land Monte Morris on a minimum wage contract, which was then unlikely to be signed Tyus Jones to a similar deal.

As Shelburne writes, Jones received interest from teams like that wizard, Pistons, SpursAnd networksand could have signed for $8-12 million per year if he had been willing to join a club involved in the lottery. Before deciding whether to go for the money or take a discount to join a contender and revisit free agency in 2025, Jones chose the latter route after San Antonio signed Chris Paul.

In four games with the Suns, Jones was as efficient as usual, directing the offense, knocking down threes and taking care of the ball. He made 37.5% of his outside shots and collected 24 assists with just three turnovers.

“Tyus makes our lives so much easier” Beal told Shelburne. “I have a lot more weight off my shoulders. We can just do what everyone knows us to do.”

Here's more from the Pacific:

• DeMar DeRozanThe ability to get to the free throw line and make his foul shots has helped make an already dangerous player even more dangerous Kings Offense even better, writes Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento ranked last in the NBA with a free throw rate of 74.5% last season, but is second in the NBA at 82.8% so far this season. DeRozan is 26 of 31 (83.9%) from the line in four games.
• Jazz head coach Will Hardywhose team fell for the new look Kings said Tuesday that his first thought was “Oh no” when he learned Sacramento had acquired DeRozan last offseason, according to Anderson. “This is something completely different that you have to prepare for.” Hardy said. “(De'Aaron) Fox, (Domantas) Sabonis (and) the fast style was already enough of a problem to game plan and prepare your team for. …It’s like pitching in baseball. You can't throw a fastball every pitch. I think that change of pace with DeMar, a change of style, will be beneficial for them as the season progresses.”
• Buddy Hieldwho joined it warrior With a four-year, $37.8 million contract, he gave his new team exactly what they needed from him, says Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. Hield leads the NBA with 24 three-pointers and has knocked down 50% of his attempts in his first five games. “He knows what he’s good at” Brandin Podziemski said before Wednesday's win in New Orleans. “He obviously showed that in the first four games. He knows what made him a lot of money in this league and what helped him win.”
• The San Diego Clippers' training camp roster includes a handful of players with NBA experience, including a forward Braxton Keyforward Tosan Evbuomwanand guard Nate Darling among those in the camp with the Hair clippers'G League affiliate.