Deandre Ayton back to bench as Suns change starting lineup vs. Magic

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns’ twin-center starting lineup is no more. It’s just not changing the way most people assumed.

Second-year center Deandre Ayton will move to the bench Friday as the Suns host the Orlando Magic, keeping veteran Aron Baynes in the starting lineup and paired with power forward Dario Saric, who just two games ago had been nearly phased out of the rotation altogether.

Point guard Ricky Rubio, shooting guard Devin Booker and forward Kelly Oubre Jr. will start alongside Saric and Baynes. That lineup is the same one that led the Suns to a surprise 7-4 start after Ayton was suspended 25 games for being red-flagged for diuretics following the season-opener.

“You’re always trying to do what is the best for your team,” Suns coach Monty Williams said pregame without tipping his hand of who would start. “I’ve taken a look at the numbers. Obviously the wins and losses, that all goes into it.

“If it doesn’t work out, (point the blame) right here.”

The Baynes-Saric frontcourt with the same trio of perimeter players is the most-used lineup this year. It has a NET rating of 5.6 and Phoenix has gone 8-10 in games in which it’s been used.

Ayton started the last three games alongside Baynes, but Williams suggested on Wednesday that he might move away from that starting lineup.

Phoenix won the first of those outings against the New York Knicks but had inconsistent play in the last two games, which were home losses to the Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings. Williams admitted that the twin-centers starting lineup had put Ayton in an uncomfortable spot playing out of position.

“What I don’t like about it is Aron’s in the corner a lot, more than I like. He’s better at the top of the key,” Williams added Friday pregame.

Ayton, the 2018 first overall pick, is averaging 15.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

He has been up-and-down since returning from his 25-game suspension and then missing five more games due to an ankle sprain. Ayton came off the bench in his first two games back from the injury before being inserted alongside Baynes for the last three outings.

Ayton scored 21 points to go with nine rebounds in the loss to the Kings on Tuesday, a game in which the Suns blew a 21-point lead. But the game also featured Ayton getting benched for missing a box-out. He responded by kicking the team’s bench once a timeout was called.

Williams spoke on being patient with the young center’s development before the Orlando game on Friday.

“I dealt with this with Anthony Davis (when both were with the New Orleans Pelicans). I know what it’s like to have a number one pick and have everybody picking on him all the time,” the Suns coach said. “He wasn’t rookie of the year, it was (Damian) Lillard, and Lillard got all of the fanfare. And A.D. just stayed the course … now look at him. I get how you have to marinate your bigs. They take longer. I wish everybody could come in and be Shaq.

“For me, I’ve been through this before, I understand the expectations. When I see Anthony now, it gives me hope that if you just take your time, get through all the stuff that comes with it — if you want to throw darts, throw them right here (at me). But we’re going to develop him and bring him along the right way.”

The Magic will also be changing their starting lineup, as power forward Aaron Gordon is out with a calf injury Friday. Orlando’s lineup will feature point guard Markelle Fultz, guard Evan Fournier, wing Wes Iwundu, forward Khem Birch and center Nikola Vucevic.

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