Suns Could Make This Change Going Into Game 6

Is it time for Monty Williams to make a change in the Phoenix Suns starting lineup?

Through the course of this series against the Denver Nuggets, it has been abundantly clear that Deandre Ayton has not been at the top of his game. He is averaging a mere 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists. 

He seems to be getting overwhelmed by Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who is sending a message that Ayton clearly is not at the level that he needs to be at.

Worst of all - Ayton has continuously shown a lack of aggression and is playing a lazy brand of basketball, which is impacting the Suns play on the court.

Is a change needed? Some analysts believe so. 

“Monty Williams might need to really consider starting Landale in Game 6,” Former NBA player and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins tweeted after Game 5. “Ayton so damn soft. He’s not even trying to deny the damn pass at the elbow or pressure Jokic. Those are the little things that can help your teammates out man. Damn.”

Starting Landale over Ayton has to at least be talked about. While Landale’s 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds don’t necessarily jump off the stat sheet, the team responds better with him on the floor. In the Suns’ Game 5 118-102 loss, Ayton was a minus-21 on the floor the worst of any Suns player and Landale was a plus-5 the best of any Phoenix player.

In Game 4, Landale came up huge playing 30 minutes, contributing eight points and five rebounds and led all players with a plus-16 rating as Ayton was benched at the end of the game only playing a total of 27 minutes.

Landale replaced Ayton in the final minutes of Game 3's win, something Suns coach Monty Williams wasn't afraid to discuss postgame. 

"He just scrapped. You couldn't point out anything that he did from a high level skill perspective, but he just scrapped and even when he was guarding [Jamal] Murray or guarding the smalls, he just competed," said Williams on Landale closing the game. "Guys have tough games and DA {Deandre Ayton] didn't have his best tonight but it's great to be able to have your brother out there that can pick it up for you."

Ayton may have an expensive contract and was a former number one overall pick, but Williams needs to start the player that gives the Suns the best possible chance to win- and Landale continues to prove that it is him. Phoenix's season is on the line going into Game 6.

Feelings may get hurt but none of that ultimately matters in the playoffs. Phoenix will fight to keep their season alive in Game 6 on Thursday night.