Paul Coro

azcentral sports

Brandon Knight had fair warning to prepare for his basketball life as a sixth man, but the preseason has not afforded him much of a chance to get used to the new role.

The Suns enter Friday night’s preseason finale, in Anaheim, Calif., against the Lakers, with their starting lineup in place for the first time since the opener. That has altered rotations, and Knight did not have the sixth-man role in the past two games, when he missed one because of a knee injury and started another when Devin Booker had an ankle sprain.

For someone whom Suns coach Earl Watson frequently calls the team’s most important player, Knight will have to learn the first bench role of his career on the fly.

“I did as much as we could with the time that I had and we have (Friday),” Knight said. “I’ll figure it out and make the best of it. I’m just going to play with high intensity when I’m on the court and try my best to help us get wins.”

Knight, who has started in 315 of 328 career appearances, said he is sticking to his same pregame. He said he is paying more attention to the flow of his team early in the game than any opponent he might wind up facing.

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“Whether they’re a starter or a bench player, I’m going to kill every one of them so it doesn’t matter,” Knight said.

Knight battled ankle and sports hernia injuries since arriving in Phoenix in February 2014. The Suns hope his health can bring back his defense and shooting to his 2014-15 levels in Milwaukee, when he made 40.9 percent of his 3-pointers. He has made 33.7 percent with the Suns. For a team that aspires to stay atop the NBA in pace, Knight's injection of speed off the bench will be vital.

“We can’t do anything without him being focused and being 100 percent in attack mode,” Watson said.

Knight spent most of his first five seasons as a starting point guard in Detroit and Milwaukee, where he said he was concerned with getting other players involved early in games.

“By the time I come in now, guys have already gotten touches and been up and down the court and got shots,” Knight said. “My main thing is to provide energy, be myself and make whatever winning plays there are to play.

“My job is to do my part, play hard, try to lift the team up in any way I can offensively or defensively for however many minutes I play. I’m going to make the most out of the situation.”

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Jenkins’ crunch time

A shooter such as Suns guard John Jenkins knows what to do with the opportunity when he sees the shot clock winding down.

But with time dwindling until the Suns must decide between guaranteeing Jenkins’ $1.05 million salary or waiving him, it frustrated him to be denied a shot by an abdominal strain for nearly a week. Jenkins did not play in the preseason opener by coach's decision. He saw 14 minutes combined in the next two games before waking up unable to get out of bed because of the injury.

He returned to practice Monday to make a final impression this week before the Suns' weekend decision.

“It’s tough but I’ve been here before,” Jenkins said. “I do the best I can do in practice. Come early, leave late, be a good teammate. All those great things play a big role.”

The Suns have 14 guaranteed contracts and can carry 15 players if they desire. Jenkins, 25, would be the roster’s seventh guard. Rookie Derrick Jones Jr., considered a likely D-League candidate, also remains on the NBA roster.

The Spanish website somosbasket.com reported that Jenkins has an offer from Laboral Kutxa Baskonia but he said his agent had not told him that.

“I’m focused on being in the NBA,” Jenkins said. “That’s my main goal. I haven’t thought about anything overseas.

“My wife sent me the article and I was like, ‘What the heck?’ " Jenkins said. “I knew they were interested and some other teams were but my main focus is being here. I feel like I’m an NBA player.”

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Free throws

Every Suns player except P.J. Tucker is available to play Friday night’s preseason finale. Tucker continued three-on-three play on a short full court Thursday with hopes of being cleared for Wednesday's season opener.

Fans can get two tickets to the opener against Sacramento by spending $100 on groceries, including Coca-Cola products, at Fry’s Food Stores. The offer is based on a limited ticket availability.

Reach Paul Coro atpaul.coro@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-2470. Follow him atwww.twitter.com/paulcoro.

Friday’s game

Suns vs. Lakers

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, Calif.

Radio: KTAR-FM (98.7).