The Phoenix Suns are no longer the superteam they set out to be just two seasons ago. With Kevin Durant officially traded and Bradley Beal reportedly nearing a buyout, the “Big 3” experiment has crashed and burned.
What’s left is a makeshift roster built around Devin Booker, young talent, and versatile role players. The question now looms large: is this team “cooked,” or could they actually cook up a surprise run in the 2025–26 season?
Here’s a breakdown of the new projected starting five and whether this team can punch above its weight or sink toward the lottery.
Projected Starting Lineup:
Point Guard – Jalen Green
Shooting Guard – Devin Booker
Small Forward – Dillon Brooks
Power Forward – Ryan Dunn
Center – Mark Williams
The backcourt offers the most intrigue. Jalen Green, who came to Phoenix as part of the Kevin Durant trade, is a high-octane scorer who has struggled with efficiency and defense in Houston but showed real promise last season.
He averaged 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 42.3% from the field and 35.4% from three. Phoenix could be the clean slate Green needs, a lower-pressure market where he plays next to an established star and is no longer expected to carry a franchise.
Next to him is the franchise: Devin Booker. Despite the team’s meltdown last season, Booker remained a consistent force, averaging 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists while shooting 46.1% from the field.
He’s expected to sign a $150 million extension to commit long-term, and the Suns will revolve around his leadership and scoring punch. While Booker at the 2 is a lock, Green’s ability to handle point guard duties and defend opposing guards will decide how functional this backcourt really is.
Dillon Brooks, also acquired in the Durant trade, is one of the league’s most polarizing players. But he’s coming off a quietly solid season where he averaged 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and shot a career-best 39.7% from deep.
Defensively, he’s a pest, and that attitude might be what this young Suns team needs. He brings a chaotic, no-nonsense energy that can stabilize games when the offense goes cold.
Ryan Dunn will be entering his second year and is expected to take a big leap. Last season, he posted 6.9 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 43.9% from the field. He’s still raw offensively, but he provides athleticism, helps with defense, and rebounding, all needed in this system. Whether he can stretch the floor enough at power forward remains a big question.
The acquisition of Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets might be Phoenix’s most under-the-radar move. Williams averaged 15.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists last season and brings the rim protection and rebounding the Suns have lacked for years.
After being dangled in failed trade talks with the Lakers last season, he’ll have a chip on his shoulder and the motivation to prove himself as a franchise center.
The Suns’ bench isn’t flashy, but it has solid contributors. Collin Gillespie is a composed backup point guard, while Grayson Allen provides elite 3-point shooting and sturdy perimeter defense. Royce O’Neale may be on the trade block, but if he stays, he offers leadership and versatility.
Highly touted rookie Khaman Maluach, acquired via trade, is a long-term project but has All-Star upside if developed properly. Nick Richards is a sturdy backup big, although trade rumors linking him to the Lakers persist. Osh Ighodaro and Nigel Hayes add depth but won’t be expected to do much beyond filling minutes.
Cooked Or Cooking?
The Suns aren’t contending for a championship; that much is clear. But they aren’t completely cooked either. If Jalen Green flourishes in a new environment, Booker remains elite, and Mark Williams turns into a defensive anchor, this team could compete for a play-in spot. Dillon Brooks adds the defensive identity, and the bench has enough firepower to keep them in games.
Still, if things go wrong, if Green regresses, Williams can’t stay healthy, or Booker grows frustrated, this team could be bottom-three in the West and looking at lottery ping pong balls.
Verdict: Not fully cooked but needs seasoning. A low Play-In ceiling, high lottery floor.
