The Phoenix Suns are coming off an inspiring campaign that ended in a 4-0 sweep in the first round of the playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While this may be disappointing at first glance, the performances of players such as Dillon Brooks may hint at a more promising future.
Dillon Brooks’ arrival in last year’s offseason effectively transformed the Suns’ franchise, while also providing the forward with an opportunity to assert himself as a vital member of the rotation. In light of his impact, NBA insider Jake Fischer noted that the Suns may be interested in offering Brooks a long-term extension.
“The Suns, I’m told, indeed want to secure a long-term stay for Brooks after his role in establishing them as the West’s foremost regular season surprise team,” Fischer reported.
However, there appears to be a catch.
“Sources say that Phoenix is also mindful of the fact that an extension would kick in for Brooks’ age-32 season since there is currently only one season left on his contract in 2026-27 at $21 million. The max extension that Brooks can command is a four-year deal in the $125 million range, but the expectation is that a new deal will not reach that upper threshold.”
At 30, Dillon Brooks is a seasoned veteran with terrific two-way upside. Having averaged a career-high 20.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game on 43.5% shooting from the field, it was evident that the forward flourished in Phoenix.
Still, the circumstances are quite tricky.
According to Fischer’s report, Brooks’ potential extension would only come into play in the 2027-28 season, the year he turns 32. While he remains in his prime years at the moment, there is no assurance that he will maintain the same level of production in the future, highlighting the risks involved.
A four-year, $125 million extension would roughly amount to an annual salary of $21.2 million, which is only marginally more than his current contract. But when factoring in his potential decline, the Suns are unlikely to present this offer.
Currently, Dillon Brooks is expected to go into the 2026-27 season with one year left on his contract and a cap hit of $20.9 million. This ensures that he will become a free agent if the Suns choose not to offer him an extension.
For the most part, this provides the Suns with some flexibility in the immediate context, allowing them to focus on re-signing more crucial roster pieces, such as Mark Williams and Collin Gillespie. However, waiting may not be the most favorable outcome either.
Dillon Brooks’ impact on the Suns was significant this season. Aside from shouldering the offensive burden in Jalen Green‘s prolonged absence early in the campaign, the forward played a vital role as a point-of-attack defender, routinely taking on the toughest defensive assignments.
With other teams also taking note of this, there is a greater likelihood that he will garner considerable interest in free agency. Given Phoenix’s limited cap space due to Booker’s contract, competing in a bidding war may not work out well for the Suns.
While Phoenix’s marked improvement as a defensive unit cannot be attributed solely to Dillon Brooks’ arrival, he was essential. When also factoring in his impact as a culture-setter, the Suns may see the value in offering him an extension as they continue to build around Devin Booker.
