Mat Ishbia, the Phoenix Suns owner, has honored his pledge. Last March, amidst the Suns` slump, he vowed to `pivot and reload` around Devin Booker, dismissing any idea of trading him. Now, as Booker enters his eleventh season, he has a new, lucrative extension, while Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have departed.
Phoenix has indeed made significant changes, aiming to rebuild around its star. Dillon Brooks, acquired in the Durant trade, is expected to enhance the team`s defensive intensity. Jalen Green, also part of the Durant deal, will take on much of the playmaking duties previously handled by Durant, Beal, and Tyus Jones. The Suns also welcomed two new, young centers — Mark Williams and No. 10 pick Khaman Maluach — and a new coach, Jordan Ott, to assemble the pieces. The ultimate impact of these moves remains uncertain, but the team is no longer burdened by its previous status as the NBA`s most expensive and underperforming squad.
The State of Play
Last Season Review:
The Suns initially started strong, winning eight of their first nine games under Mike Budenholzer. However, Kevin Durant`s calf injury in the ninth game marked a turning point, sending the season into a downward spiral. January saw Phoenix trade for Nick Richards, then swap a 2031 pick for less valuable ones. Unsuccessful in acquiring Jimmy Butler, and with Durant vetoing a trade to Golden State (who then got Butler), the Suns` primary acquisition became Cody Martin from Charlotte, a move primarily to shed Jusuf Nurkic`s salary. Despite being in play-in contention in mid-March, they concluded the season with nine losses in their final ten games, finishing 36-46, 11th in the Western Conference, and boasting the league`s fourth-worst defense.
Offseason Moves:
Following the season, the Suns promptly dismissed Budenholzer and lead executive James Jones. New general manager Brian Gregory, a former assistant coach at Michigan State (where Ishbia was a walk-on), famously used the word “alignment” 27 times in his introductory press conference. Before the draft, Jordan Ott, formerly an assistant coach for several NBA teams, was hired as head coach. A pivotal trade sent Kevin Durant to the Rockets in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick, and five second-rounders. Draft night brought Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming (No. 31), and Koby Brea (No. 41), alongside Mark Williams, who remains extension-eligible. July saw Booker sign a two-year max extension, Beal`s contract stretched, Martin`s non-guaranteed deal waived, and Jordan Goodwin claimed off waivers. Additionally, they signed Nigel Hayes-Davis, a EuroLeague Final Four MVP who spent the last seven years playing in Europe.
Vegas Win Projection:
31.5 wins (per BetMGM)
The Conversation
Suns Supporter:
While Brian Gregory`s hiring wasn`t universally acclaimed, the new general manager executed his mandate perfectly. He swiftly reduced the team`s exorbitant payroll, infused youth, and secured Devin Booker`s long-term commitment. Acquiring the pick that became Khaman Maluach in the Kevin Durant trade was a masterstroke. Signing Nigel Hayes-Davis for the minimum and claiming Jordan Goodwin off waivers might be the most astute under-the-radar moves of the entire NBA offseason. After a few years of underperformance, it will be refreshing to see a Phoenix squad composed of players who truly complement each other and prioritize defense.
Suns Skeptic:
Hold on – do Devin Booker and Jalen Green truly complement each other`s games? And was signing Booker to an extension that could pay him over $70 million at 33 years old a wise decision? While Maluach shows promise, the return from the Houston trade feels underwhelming given the assets the Suns sacrificed for Kevin Durant in 2023. If Maluach is the future at center, why trade two first-round picks for Mark Williams? One might try to justify Hayes-Davis and Goodwin as second-unit contributors, but I`m more concerned about the overarching strategy. The waive-and-stretch approach with Bradley Beal seems shortsighted, leaving the front office in a bind: attempting to “reload” (not rebuild) while maintaining a competitive enough team to keep Booker satisfied. I would have simply traded Booker and initiated a full reset.
Suns Supporter:
Booker has made it clear he has no desire to be traded, perhaps recalling the franchise`s far worse state and understanding how quickly momentum can shift. Consider Monty Williams` inaugural season in 2019-20: Phoenix was coming off a 19-win campaign and stood at 26-39 when the season paused in March 2020. Yet, they emerged from the bubble with an 8-0 run, signed Chris Paul in the offseason, and reached the NBA Finals the very next year. While this roster isn`t currently Finals-bound, simply demonstrating an upward trajectory could accelerate their rebuilding efforts at the opportune moment.
Suns Skeptic:
However, Paul joined a youthful team primarily constructed through the draft, supplemented by astute free-agent signings. This current roster presents a vastly different mix, a challenging cap sheet, and operates under a new CBA. Green and Booker are both highly compensated, and the front office must navigate Beal`s dead money for the next five years. Achieving an upward trajectory this time will be considerably more difficult. While the defense should improve, I don`t foresee it becoming elite unless Dillon Brooks and Ryan Dunn play significant minutes together and Maluach develops exceptionally quickly. Offensively, the team is asking far too much of Booker. If the “no-point guard” approach struggled with him and Beal, why would it succeed with him and Green? While I appreciate Grayson Allen and Royce O`Neale, Phoenix desperately needs more playmakers.
Suns Supporter:
Two years ago, the “no-point guard” strategy supposedly didn`t “work” for a team with championship aspirations, but the offense itself wasn`t poor! Booker is an excellent playmaker, and he`s the ideal mentor for Green. I don`t anticipate any issues with offensive initiation, and I`m optimistic the team will play with more pace this season. The defensive duo of Brooks & Dunn will undoubtedly see plenty of minutes, but with Allen, O`Neale, and Hayes-Davis in the rotation, Jordan Ott will have ample flexibility for mixing and matching. I actually appreciate the uncertainty around the exact rotation; it signals that Phoenix now has intriguing options and a much-needed positive shift in team atmosphere.
Suns Skeptic:
These players are indeed fine role players, assuming Hayes-Davis`s improved 3-point shooting from overseas translates to the NBA. However, it`s unrealistic to expect Booker to single-handedly carry this team to the playoffs. Even securing a play-in spot is likely a long shot, especially in the Western Conference, given they exchanged Durant and Beal for Brooks, Green, and a 19-year-old. While the team`s “vibes” might be significantly better than last season, that doesn`t guarantee an improved on-court product.
