As preseason interest builds across 12BET Malaysia, the Phoenix Suns opened their schedule with a hard-fought overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons, although the performance told a far more complicated story than the final score suggested. The biggest positive was the immediate chemistry shown by Phoenix’s newly assembled Big Three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Despite playing only the first half, all three scored in double figures while shooting better than 55 percent from the field, helping the Suns establish an early double-digit lead and offering an encouraging glimpse of what their offense could become.

When the game flowed smoothly, Durant, Booker, and Beal naturally shared possession without forcing one player to dominate the ball. Beal looked particularly comfortable after leaving behind a difficult final stretch in Washington, showing signs that he could return to being an efficient scorer. His role as Phoenix’s third option did not appear restrictive. In fact, facing less defensive attention allowed him to attack more freely and use his scoring instincts without carrying the same burden he had with the Wizards. Durant and Booker also looked refreshed by the new combination after previously playing alongside Chris Paul, while Beal quickly established a different identity from the veteran point guard.

With greater shooting range and a more aggressive scoring mentality, Beal can create wider and more flexible attacking spaces for Durant and Booker. During last year’s playoffs, particularly against Denver, Phoenix’s two stars repeatedly faced double-teams and heavy defensive pressure. Beal’s presence gives opponents another elite scorer to worry about, making those defensive schemes far more difficult to execute. The Suns have also made an important change at center by replacing Deandre Ayton with Jusuf Nurkic. It was only one preseason game, but Nurkic’s passing from the high post and his ability to connect with teammates already made the offense look more fluid.

Phoenix’s starting group therefore appears to have passed its first test in a very short period of time. However, a genuine championship push requires much more than an impressive starting lineup. The Suns must survive an 82-game regular season before navigating an intense postseason, which means stability throughout the entire roster will be essential. Their bench rotation remains unsettled, and the next two weeks are likely to feature fierce competition among players trying to secure consistent minutes. Who earns the opportunity to remain alongside the Big Three could become one of the most important storylines before the regular season begins.

The current roster picture drawing attention throughout 12BET Malaysia includes 19 Suns players, with Udoka Azubuike and Saben Lee occupying two-way contracts. While many NBA teams use the final spots on their preseason rosters for rookies or undrafted prospects, Phoenix has assembled a group made almost entirely of players with professional experience who could contribute immediately if called upon. That depth makes the competition for bench roles especially intense. Based on playing time and early performance, two players have already emerged as strong candidates to earn regular places in the rotation.

The first is Grayson Allen. Although his career has often been accompanied by a reputation as an agitator, his combination of perimeter defense and outside shooting gives Phoenix exactly the kind of complementary skill set it needs. Along with Nurkic, Allen was one of the most valuable pieces Phoenix received as part of the wider Damian Lillard trade sequence, and his defensive effort should fit naturally with head coach Frank Vogel’s philosophy. He does not need the ball constantly to make an impact, which also makes him an attractive option next to Durant, Booker, and Beal.

The second strong candidate is Yuta Watanabe, who played more minutes than any other Suns player in the preseason opener. That workload suggested Vogel already has considerable confidence in what the Japanese forward can provide. Watanabe’s performances with Brooklyn last season, particularly his chemistry with Durant, were also considered an important factor behind Phoenix’s decision to bring him in. His offensive game has limitations, but his positioning, floor spacing, defensive concentration, and willingness to play within a defined 3-and-D role make him an excellent fit alongside three high-usage stars.

Watanabe does not need to create offense on his own or control possession for long stretches. Instead, he can stay ready on the perimeter, punish defenders when they leave him open, make intelligent cuts, and handle demanding defensive assignments. Players with that profile often become especially valuable in star-heavy lineups because they help maintain balance without disrupting the rhythm of the primary scorers. Sometimes less is more, and Watanabe’s ability to contribute without demanding attention could become one of his greatest advantages.

Allen and Watanabe also give Vogel different options depending on matchups. Allen brings physical perimeter pressure and a proven willingness to take difficult defensive assignments, while Watanabe adds length and positional versatility. Both can stretch the floor, which is vital for a team built around Durant, Booker, and Beal. If the pair performs consistently, Phoenix could already have two important pieces of its second unit in place while the remaining roster spots continue to be contested.

At the other end of the rotation, Saben Lee and Azubuike received very limited opportunities in the opening preseason game. Their lack of playing time suggests that securing regular NBA minutes could prove difficult once the season begins. Both may spend significant stretches in the G League, where they can continue developing and remain ready in case injuries create openings. Their positions are also less secure than those of established rotation players, meaning every opportunity they receive during preseason carries added importance.

With the rotation battle becoming increasingly important around 12BET Malaysia, Watanabe appears highly likely to secure a place in Phoenix’s regular-season plans if he continues performing his role with the same discipline. Not everyone needs universal recognition, and Watanabe has built his career by quietly doing the work his team requires. Allen appears similarly well positioned, while Lee and Azubuike face a much tougher road toward consistent minutes. Phoenix’s starters have already shown that their talent can produce spectacular basketball, but the real challenge now is finding the dependable bench combination capable of keeping that level intact over a long and demanding season.