Suns should experiment with P.J. Tucker at power forward

An Alex Len and Tyson Chandler twin tower alignment is not the answer to the Phoenix Suns’ future. It’s not a viable duo in almost any sense and they can’t be surrounded by players that will make it work.

It’s too easy to close off the lane because of a lack of spacing, ability to create off the dribble and passing. Defensively, one of them is going to get forced to defend on the perimeter due to opponents downsizing because they’re not worried about Chandler taking advantage of them posting up. Playing against only one-big alignments is a matchup disadvantage for the Suns.

Interim head coach Earl Watson should scrap this pairing. These last few weeks of the season are an opportunity to experiment with something that could be of value to Phoenix next season.

General manager Ryan McDonough is going to have to address the four position this offseason whether it be through the draft or free agency, maybe both.

Jon Leuer and Mirza Teletovic are both unrestricted free agents, but there’s a player on the roster with the potential to play there.

As the NBA evolves, point guards are becoming shooting guards, shooting guards are becoming small forwards, small forwards are becoming power forwards and power forwards are becoming centers.

The Suns have someone who fits the mold — P.J. Tucker.

Tucker’s always been a unique small forward. He’s built like a linebacker, but was gifted with solid lateral quickness for someone of his size and strength. This allowed him to chase around perimeter players you wouldn’t think he would have had an ability to. As Tucker continues to age he’s no longer the level defender in the sense he used to be.

We’re reaching the point in Tucker’s career where he’s better suited to be banging with bigs underneath and defending less-talented ball handlers on the outside.

This would also make his limited offensive game easier to manage.

If you shift Tucker to the power forward, his ability to make catch-and-shoot threes (39 percent two of the last three seasons) becomes more valuable, and his lack of offensive creativity doesn’t hurt as much.

Some might look at Tucker’s offensive game as a negative, but there’s value in knowing what you’re capable of and not trying to do too much. If Tucker’s employed in the proper fashion, his skills can be incorporated positively.

Seeing how a lineup of Archie Goodwin, Devin Booker, John Jenkins or Sonny Weems, Tucker and Len makes more sense than continuing to play Len and Chandler together.

The rest of this NBA season for the Suns is about trying to find anything that can help them in the future — not trying to scrape together wins in the absence of logic.