Suns sensationally dropped their best preseason performer from the final squad

It was always likely that the Phoenix Suns would cut a number of players from their final roster ahead of the regular season – and with the real action less than a week away, they did just that by cutting a few names. It was no surprise that David Duke Jr. made way, but the players who followed him through the exit door were a surprise.

Point guard Jared Butler lost in the third-string battle to Jordan Goodwin, who might have had the advantage of being with the franchise in the past. On second thought, we may have dealt Butler the death blow here. However, after scoring a team-high 35 in the Suns’ last win over the Los Angeles Lakers, there was nothing more he could have done to stay.

Defensive skills may have played a role in Goodwin beating Butler.

As evidenced by the fans’ reaction In addition to Butler’s high-scoring game, there were plenty who felt it glossed over some less stellar performances during his short stint in Phoenix. Especially compared to Goodwin’s more balanced approach, it’s clear that head coach Jordan Ott valued what he could bring on both ends of the court more than Butler’s raw speed and ability to get to the rim.

He also provided a bright offensive spark, but unlike previous years, the Suns have transitioned to a defensive group. Butler was much easier to score on than Goodwin and even Collin Gillespie, who proved during preseason that he more than deserved the backup role he cemented with his play.

Although the 25-year-old could not have done more with the opportunity presented to him, the Suns wanted to reduce their roster to 14 players, which they achieved. They can now make a move during the season if necessary – and with Jalen Green and Mark Williams yet to appear for the organization – that’s a useful flexibility to have.

The reality is that it’s better for the Suns to put a different type of player in the spot that creates Butler’s absence rather than have him sit there as the fourth point guard on the roster. With Devin Booker, Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale also needing minutes, there just wasn’t room to give him the required run in The Valley.

That is a shame for him personally, although his piece may have opened the door for a next performance elsewhere. The Houston Rockets, for example – as we’ve already discussed – should take a look at the former Baylor standout. A disappointing end to a nice preseason spark for the team, but further proof that there is more depth to Phoenix than the pundits would have you believe this season.