FLAGSTAFF – Igor Kokoskov said at Monday’s media day all four Phoenix Suns’ point guards “could start at any time,” but he wasn’t ready to name one a starter.

The first-year coach stuck with the same script Wednesday when asked which ones have stood out.

“It’d be unfair for me to mention any names,” he said after the morning camp practice at Northern Arizona. “So at this point, there’s no decision to be made yet.”

Isaiah Canaan, Shaquille Harrison, De’Anthony Melton and Elie Okobo are vying for the starting spot and a roster spot, but the Suns having been looking to bring in a prototypical point guard.

Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker, Terry Rozier, and most recently, Patrick Beverley and Tyus Jones, have all been reportedly on Phoenix’s point guard radar — and the Suns aren’t done looking.

“Throughout the preseason and probably up to the trade deadline, we’ll continue to evaluate trade possibilities,” Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said Monday.

The latest news on a possible point guard for the Suns came from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski earlier this week that Jeff Teague could be available if Jimmy Butler were to go to Miami and former Sun point guard Goran Dragic ends up in Minnesota.

Veteran Tyson Chandler said this roster has more talent than any he’s been part of here since joining the Suns in 2015, but also said adding a proven point guard would “be a plus.”

More: Isaiah Canaan ready for Phoenix Suns point guard call

This situation is ongoing, but the fan base is clamoring for the Suns to do something. The targets may become easier to identify once rosters are finalized.

So instead of rehashing or adding potential names to Phoenix’s wish list, let’s pick Kokoskov’s brain to see what’s his ideal point guard for this team?

“Just being solid overall,” Kokoskov said Thursday . “The four guys we’ve brought to this camp, our guys are pretty solid. That’s a quality they’re bringing to this team. Just being solid. We’re not asking for anything extraordinary. Just be solid overall when it comes to defensive stops, when it comes to running the team. Putting the guys in the right spots. The key word is being solid.”  

Phoenix has playoff desires, but do they have a starter and backup on its roster who can do what Kokoskov is asking of that position to make it?

Harrison believes he’s up for the challenge.

“Definitely one, leadership,” said Harrison in explaining the top three things he wants to bring to the Suns. “Impacting the game any way possible and being the hardest worker out there. If I take care of those, I think everything else will fall into place.”

Looking at last season’s eight Western Conference playoff teams, seven had a premier or proven point guard — or one who is in the conversation.

• Golden State – Steph Curry
• Houston – Chris Paul/James Harden
• New Orleans – Rajon Rondo
• Utah – Donovan Mitchell
• Oklahoma City – Russell Westbrook
• Portland – Damian Lillard
• Minnesota – Jeff Teague

Only San Antonio lacked a seasoned point guard with Dejounte Murray, who replaced future Hall of Famer Tony Parker, who’s now in Charlotte. 

Phoenix doesn’t have an elite point guard. Canaan is experienced as he’s going into his sixth season. He’s solid, had productive moments but is coming off a major ankle injury suffered in January.

Harrison is in his second year while Melton and Okobo are rookies. It isn’t ideal to have four point guards. This position has been called the team’s weakness, but the Suns are trying to make it work.

“They’re learning,” Suns forward Trevor Ariza said. “Are you expecting first, second-year players to get everything straight off the bat? It takes extremely extraordinary special people to do that. … They’re good players. They’re smart. They have their own I.Q., but they’re still learning the NBA game. You have to be patient with them. You have to understand that this is a learning curve for them as well.”

Saturday’s open practice at Talking Stick Report Arena beginning at 11:30 a.m. that’s free to the public, might give fans a glimpse of how the point guards look, but Monday’s preseason opener against Sacramento will give a better indication.

Phoenix is experimenting with the idea of playing up to four wings at once to utilize their talent and offset not having a proven point guard.

Think of it like putting the five best offensive linemen out there in football.

One might be a natural guard, but he’s playing center to get someone who is just as good on the field, but Phoenix won’t have its best player, Devin Booker, available for games until the Oct. 17 opener against Dallas — or later.

Booker won’t return from the injury to his right hand until the Suns, and him, all agree he’s ready. They don’t want to rush Booker back, have him reinjure it, and miss even more of the games that count.

The point guard is a more pressing matter for Phoenix. They’re going to stay on the hunt for one, but Kokoskov must make it work with what he has.

Kokoskov like what he sees. He’s just not ready to name a starter.

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