September 23, 2026 • 3:31 AM EDT
Updated 1 hours ago
Jalen Green Takes the Starting Spot for the Phoenix Suns Today, Collin Gillespie Moves to Bench
The Phoenix Suns named Jalen Green as their starting guard alongside Devin Booker on September 23, 2026, moving last year’s starter Collin Gillespie to a bench role. This is not a minor tweak: Gillespie started 70% of Suns games last season and powered a higher team win percentage when he was on the floor. Jalen Green comes in from Houston with volume scoring credentials but uncertainty around efficiency and fit as a true starter.
Gillespie averaged 10.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in just over 24 minutes per game last year. The data layer says what the headlines miss, Phoenix outperformed expectations in games he started, while Green, despite his scoring pop (15.5 ppg in early Suns preseason, 17+ppg history with the Rockets), was less consistent in all-around play.
The betting implication is direct. Oddsmakers and the public have penciled in the Suns as strong playoff contenders, assuming stability carries over from last year’s 45-37 campaign. But the chemistry risk with this backcourt swap isn’t priced in yet. That means there’s early-season value fading Phoenix against the spread (ATS) and considering Under on their team win total until Jalen Green proves he can run offense alongside Booker without a drop in efficiency or playmaking quality.
This Starting Five Comes with More Uncertainty Than the Market Admits
Related: Kawhi Leonard lands big contract but Clippers left reeling
The Suns’ projected edge in the West depends on the starting lineup gelling fast. Gillespie’s on-court impact was obvious: a higher win percentage and smoother offensive production. Green offers scoring upside, nobody doubts his ability to fill it up, but the integration risk is real. NBA teams switching point guards without a proven history need weeks, not days, to show they can match last year’s baseline.
The market is still pricing Phoenix as if last year’s chemistry is intact. That’s the mispricing opportunity. If oddsmakers shade opening spreads with optimism, expect sharp bettors to fade the Suns ATS and look for low-value Over props on Green, especially if books set his lines off Houston usage, not actual fit.
Key Developments, and What They Mean for Every Suns Bettor
- Collin Gillespie started 70% of games in 2025-26: Suns covered more ATS in those starts, don’t ignore that history.
- Jalen Green averaged 15.5 ppg in preseason but shot below 43%: expect inefficiency volatility in the first month.
- Team win percentage was highest with Gillespie in the starting unit: that baseline just dropped a tick.
- Opening night point spread is likely to reflect last season’s form: the market hasn’t debited risk from lineup change.
- Green’s on-ball usage fits Houston’s style but is unproven in a two-guard offense with Booker: watch the turnover and assist rate split for early prop markets.
- Public perception is overvaluing Suns’ guard depth: books will move if the chemistry issues show by Game 3-4.
“We want to get Jalen comfortable early. But Collin’s leadership is huge for us off the bench.”Frank Vogel, Phoenix Suns head coach
Key Takeaways for Bettors
- Fade the Suns ATS in the first two weeks if spreads reflect 2025-26 power ratings.
- Lean Under on Suns team win total until Jalen Green proves a consistent fit.
- Wait before taking Green’s over prop lines, books may overprice on Houston stats, not Suns role.
- Bet Suns’ opponents with more experienced backcourt continuity in the opening week.
- Downgrade Phoenix in your early NBA futures portfolio by one notch.
- Track Gillespie’s minutes off the bench for possible value on Suns second-unit live props.
- Adjust your in-play bet sizing downward for Suns’ games until rotation roles stabilize.
I’m on the fade-Suns side here, but watch how Green and Booker share lead guard duties before you commit full size. If the spread or team win total looks like last season’s team, the value is on the fade, track all early bets on the Phoenix Suns picks and updated season record.
This article was produced with AI assistance by João Bitencourte, with editorial standards and betting methodology overseen by Richard Gale (senior gambling industry executive, ThePicks founder), and reviewed by the ThePicks editorial team. All statistics sourced from live BDL API data and verified source material. All betting opinions are those of ThePicks analysts.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/suns-might-six-starters-230000124.html
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