Here's the next installment of our team-by-team season preview series on the Phoenix Suns.

2014-15 Record: 39-43

Notable Acquisitions: Tyson Chandler (FA), Mirza Teletovic (FA), Devin Booker (Draft), Sonny Weems (FA)

Notable Departures: Marcus Morris, Gerald Green

Temperature check:

After the 13-14 season in which the team far exceeded expectations, Phoenix spent the 14-15 season failing to live up to them. The disappointing campaign is what prompted the team to chase hard after LaMarcus Aldridge. But their pursuit of a star netted them only Tyson Chandler and handful of other mid-tier free agents (along with an unhappy Morris twin). With few changes, the Suns will be banking on some internal improvement and continuity to get back into playoff contention.

Inside the Playbook:

During head coach Jeff Hornacek’s reign in Phoenix, the team has become known for their spread out, up-tempo, two-point guard attack. But hidden in that fast-paced madness is the versatile game of Markieff Morris. Though he’s something of a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type, Morris can occupy any number of roles during a Phoenix’s offensive possessions.

The most critical, given the team’s style of play, is that of a floor spacing big man; filtering outside the 3-point in an attempt to pull opposing big men away from lane or punish them when they sag off to help.

Despite a middling percentage from beyond the arc (31.8 percent) Morris will be needed to provide some type of offense in that situation. And that doesn’t mean just mindlessly jacking 3s. Morris can also use his size and skill to create looks attacking the basket off those kickouts to the perimeter.

Another large chunk of his possessions will be spent doing the two things Morris seems to love doing the most: posting up…

….and finding spots to go into isolation attacks:

And because his versatility to play inside and out, Morris can also be used in clever situations -- like a roll-replace movement after a pick-and-roll -- that camouflage his position for enough time to lead to open shots:

Now again, Morris isn’t great in all of the situations Phoenix is sure to put him (in fact, he’s mostly average per Synergy data). But for the Suns, his lies value in the fact that a single player can fulfill all these different roles. It’s just on the team to make sure Morris is doing the right ones at the right times.

Lineup to Watch:

Tyson Chandler-PJ Tucker-TJ Warren-Brandon Knight-Eric Bledsoe

Though the team has a myriad of lineup combinations they could turn to, this group might be Jeff Hornacek’s best alternative for crunch time. Tucker can play the role of Draymond Green, using his strength to battle bigger defenders and versatility to switch onto smaller ones. Warren is a developing youngster with the the foundation for a solid jumper and a precocious ability to cut into space. His presence alongside Tucker can help the Suns easily trade defensive assignments between their two forwards.

As Tucker spaces the floor from the corners in a way Morris can’t, Knight and Bledsoe will have the ability to combine with Chandler in pick-and-rolls -- slashing their way to the rim while throwing up lobs to their new big man. And the beauty of Knights game is that when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands, his 3-point shooting (38.9 percent) provides space for Bledsoe to barrel his way to the rim.

In general, this group might be the team’s best lineup on both sides of the floor. The switchability it possess on defense could snuff out the smaller closing lineups teams are utilizing while the offensive skill sets of this quintet mesh just well enough to cause opposing defenses problems.

The Wildcard:

Markieff Morris

As Grantland’s Zach Lowe touched on earlier this offseason, Morris is a strange player for the modern NBA. He’s not capable of stretching the floor nor is he well suited to move up to the 5 -- where non-shooters have the ability to hide as “dive” men in pick-and-rolls. Yet despite his limitations, Morris, as described above, will be a key player for Phoenix this season.

It’s hard to go as far as saying the Suns will go as he goes, but there’s certainly a case to be made that if Morris (in part because of a lingering discontent) fails to deliver, it’s tough to envision a scenario in which the team makes the playoffs. Though there are other (and potentially better) options to fill his role, the Suns won’t just bench Morris because he’s ill-suited to a specific style of play. Morris will get his touches in the variety of ways mentioned above, so what will make or break Phoenix’s season is what he does with them.

Coach’s Question:

How will Jeff Hornacek handle his frontcourt?

Hornacek has a variety of options to consider when doling out his frontcourt minutes. On the surface it seems like a straight split between Chandler and Alex Len at the center position is inevitable. But Morris can, and maybe should, play the 5 against certain opposing lineups and Chandler is bound to miss at least a handful of games due to injury -- which raises the question, what then?

Jon Leuer is something like the team’s fifth big and started a preseason game at that spot. But when the real bullets start flying and Chandler is out, will Hornacek turn to Leuer for his platoon or slide Morris up into that role?

If Morris ends up playing some at the 5, on top of his regularly scheduled rest, the trickle down effect on the power forward position will be interesting to watch as well. Mirza Teletovic is the nominal back up, but as mentioned above, Tucker is well suited for a situational role at that spot. That’s not even mentioning that fact that, Warren, an extremely promising young player, may push for minutes that need to be found at some position.

With so many options on a team with little margin for error, it’ll be imperative for Hornacek to settle quickly on an effective rotation and/or be prepared to consistently handle the matchup madness in games.

Best Case Scenario:

46-36 If…

Morris shows improvement from behind the 3-point line and balances his outside game with a strong showing on the post ups and isolations he’s sure to get. Hornacek not only sorts out his frontcourt rotation, but routinely puts the right players on the floor at the right times all season long.

Worst Case Scenario:

36-46 If…

The Morris saga leads to bad play and negative vibes that impact the team’s production and locker room chemistry. Bledsoe and Knight fail to improve as distributors and hamstring the offense (along with Morris) by failing to get others involved. Hornacek gets overwhelmed by his deep and versatile roster, never quite pushing the right buttons to get the team rolling.

Click here for a full list of NBA Season Previews from Brett Koremenos.