In the midst of a brutal Western Conference slate running through Christmas, the Phoenix Suns have unexpectedly become one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the NBA this season. Their early success has caught many off guard, as Phoenix entered the year with modest expectations in the opening stage of its rebuild. After moving on from two major pieces in Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, owner and general manager Mat Ishbia committed to reconstructing the roster around star guard Devin Booker.
Photo Cred: The Sporting News
That plan is unfolding more smoothly than anticipated. The Suns currently sit at No. 7 in the West with a 12–9 record. This marks the first season Booker has fully taken the reins since the end of the 2022–23 campaign. Kevin Durant lightened his load, and the subsequent move involving Chris Paul for Bradley Beal shifted it again. Now back as the unquestioned leader of the offense, Booker has delivered, but the new additions have exceeded expectations as well.
Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks have redefined their roles, emerging as underrated secondary options on this young roster. Williams has been an excellent pickup, fitting seamlessly alongside Booker’s style of play. Brooks, meanwhile, is having a breakout season, filling the void left by Jalen Green, who remains out with a hamstring injury. He is averaging 21.5 points per game on nearly 40% shooting from three—well above the solid 14 points he provided last season.
Beyond the numbers, Brooks’ unmatched energy has sparked the Suns in ways the franchise hasn’t seen since the Mikal Bridges era. Unsung hero Collin Gillespie has also emerged as an unexpected standout with an expanded role this year. Last season’s ball-dominant trio created limited opportunities for him to see meaningful minutes, but the reshaped roster opened the door for Gillespie to prove he could be a reliable contributor. His importance skyrocketed when Green went down early in training camp.
Photo Cred: MSN
It forced new head coach Jordan Ott to redistribute scoring responsibilities throughout the rotation. Despite the off-court financial allegations surrounding Mat Ishbia, he has remained assertive and candid about the franchise’s recent struggles, laying out a clear vision for reshaping Phoenix’s culture. Ishbia has been upfront in saying this season would be a “work in progress,” yet through 21 games, the Suns have already surpassed expectations.
