The Phoenix Suns swingman Dillon Brooks recently sat down with Khaman Maluach, the Suns’ sophomore, for an in-depth interview where he spoke about his rivalry with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, and Victor Wembanyama.
Here’s a transcript of his conversation with Khaman Maluach from the interview:
Brooks: “A little rivalry brewing up. I live for those… If we get him again this year, it’s definitely going to be Shai. Even before he got to like this level, cuz he’s like one of the greatest in our game right now, I had his number, and I hope he watches this too cuz we can go to the stats now.
Brooks: “Memphis, like I forget what year it was under 20, easy slide in. That’s when the foul bait wasn’t a real thing, those times, you know? I can get away with the ‘get out of the way’ type s–t, you know.”
Maluach: “You got somebody else you forgetting?”
Brooks: “Oh yeah. You talking about LeBron?”
Maluach: “Yeah.”
Brooks: “Always, Always. I love playing against him. And honestly, I feel like it’s not even a rivalry. It’s just like a competitive spirit because I’ve watched him my whole life. So, finally getting to compete against him, and he’s, you know, in the end stages of it all. Perfect.”
Maluach: “Did you see the meme of yourself sitting in the front row and people were like, ‘Look at the villain.’?”
Brooks: “That right there was not scripted. I wanted to watch a game, and if I were not in Phoenix, I would never go to a game because it’s too far. So, I was like, perfect.
Brooks: “So, when I got in there, you know, I’m already feeling good, and I’m like, okay, I’m about to take in OKC. Like, how do they end the series? So, I’m watching it and boom, 5 minutes, 7 minutes in, my phone’s just buzzing, bro. Bro, what are you doing? What are you doing? What are you doing? That’s some real villain s–t.”
Maluach: “I was watching the game at home, and I told my homies I just saw someone like Dillon courtside, like they couldn’t believe it until that camera turned again. I was like, he’s right there, like, what are you doing, bro?
Brooks: “But I’m going to give you one more. It’s probably going to be, I think, Wemby. You’re going to start seeing that become, like, I’m going to get more agitated with him.”
Dillon Brooks and the Suns faced reigning regular-season MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder in the 2025-26 playoffs, where Phoenix lost the series 4-0 to Oklahoma.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ended that series averaging 33.8 points, 8.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 55.1% from the field and 31.3% from the three-point line.
Meanwhile, Dillon Brooks averaged 26.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 45.9% from the field and 43.8% from the three-point range.
Yet Dillon Brooks seems to believe he understands the true nature of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s playing style in what he calls a newly brewing rivalry in the league.
His relationship with LeBron James has been an infamous rivalry that has brewed over the past few years. Brooks and James share the same agency (Klutch Sports), and as a result, Brooks revealed that he got his ticket to attend the Lakers vs. Thunder game last season from Rich Paul, LeBron James’ agent.
Moreover, after the 2026-27 schedule was released, Brooks said he plans to ruin James’ 42nd birthday as the 76ers play the Suns on December 30. Even when James is near the end of his career, there is no let-up in the competitive edge from Brooks to get his revenge over the veteran superstar.
What seems most interesting to me is that he has openly declared that he is putting a target on Victor Wembanyama’s back as well. While giving the French star his flowers in the past, Brooks has claimed to have the blueprint for stopping the Spurs big man.
The matchups when Dillon Brooks faces each of these players in the 2026-27 season will have the Suns and other NBA fans on the edge of their seats. It will be fascinating to see if Brooks finally gets the last laugh over LeBron James as he gives the NBA a much-needed competitive edge, with new rivalries brewing as well.
