Suns season preview: Better than the best, better than the worst. Without expectations, it may be better to create surprises.

Review of last season

New coach Budenholzer took office and brought a new atmosphere, but only in the first month. The Suns, with their Big Three, had a perfect start to last season. They recorded 8 wins and 1 loss in the first nine games and tied for first place in the Western Conference. As the team's defensive shortcomings were exposed, the team quickly fell into a slump and once again repeated the "death or death" of the previous season. Entering 2025, Budden made major changes and demoted Bill to the bench, and the team briefly got back on track. But as the trade deadline approaches, leader Durant has appeared in trade rumors many times, and there are even rumors that he will return to the Golden State Warriors. Although he finally stayed with the team, the Suns had already lost their fighting spirit. The Suns lost 9 of their last 10 games, finishing 11th in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs, ending another chaotic season.

Offseason operations

Renewal: Booker (renew in advance), Gillespie

New players: Dillon Brooks (trade), Jaylen Green (trade), Jared Butler (free agent signing), Mark Williams (trade), Hayes Davis (free) Player signing), Jordan Goodwin (claimed)

Draft: Maluacchi (10th overall, acquired through trade), Fleming (31st overall, acquired through trade), Kobe Brea (41st overall, acquired through trade)

Personnel losses: Durant (trade), Beal (buyout) ), Tyus Jones (left the team in free agency), Damien Lee (leaved the team in free agency), Cody Martin (waived), Vasilije Misic (trade), Mason Plumlee (leaved the team in free agency), Taytae Washington (left the team in free agency), Bol Bol (leaved the team in free agency), Monte Mo Reese (free agent left the team)

The KD trade rumors circulating in the middle of the season finally came true. The Suns sent him to the Rockets in exchange for Jaylen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick (Malu Achie) and 5 second-round picks. This move also announced that the Suns have entered a new era. Subsequently, the team bought out Bill, completely bidding farewell to the Big Three era.

In the transaction, the Suns acquired Jaylen Green and Dillon Brooks. These two players certainly cannot replace Durant, but they may be more suitable for the Suns at this stage. Jaylen Green played all 82 games for the Rockets last season, averaging 21 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. The backcourt combination between him and Booker is very interesting. Jaylen Green has strong breakthrough ability and balanced offense and defense. Booker has superb shooting skills and can create opportunities for his teammates. How far the Suns can go in the new season depends largely on their adaptability. Dillon is the top 3D that every team dreams of. He averaged 14 points and 3.7 rebounds per game last season and shot 39.7% from three-point range. In addition to his performance on the court, his role as a veteran leader in the locker room is also crucial for this young team.

Before the draft, the Suns used the No. 29 pick + 29-year protected first round + Micic from the Hornets in exchange for Mark Williams. Mawei was returned by the Lakers last season and was sent away by the Hornets again in the offseason. Holding back his anger, he is expected to be the Suns' starting center in the new season. After the trade, the Suns selected Maluac with the No. 10 pick from the Rockets. This is another center. However, Maluac has only been in basketball for five years and his skills still need to be polished. The Suns should be very patient with him. In terms of interior reserves, the Suns also have Iguodaro, who performed well in his rookie season, Richards, who previously served as Marvel's substitute in the Hornets, and No. 31 pick Fleming, who can also serve as center in a small lineup. This configuration can make up for the shortcomings of Marvel's attendance rate, and the overall level is more than adequate.

After completing the offseason operations, the Suns offered star Booker a two-year, 145 million contract extension in advance. Booker's original contract had three years left, and the renewal would not expire until the summer of 2030, basically locking Booker's peak period in Phoenix. Regarding this contract extension, there are mixed reviews from the outside world, but Suns owner Ishbia has always been generous. From his perspective, giving the star a contract extension can act as a reassurance during the turbulent period.

In addition to the overhaul of the player lineup, the coaching staff is also completely new. After the season, the Suns fired head coach Budenholzer and hired Ishbia University alumnus and long-time NBA assistant Jordan Ott as head coach.

Current lineup

Guards: Devin Booker, Jaylen Green, Grayson Allen, Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, Kobe Brea (two-way)

Forward: Dillon Brooks, Ryan Dunn, Royce O'Neal, Isaiah Livers (two-way), CJ Huntley (two-way) Two-way)

Center, Mark Williams, Aruachi, Richards, Iguodaro

New Season Preview

After sending away the two giants, the Suns did not directly fall to the point of collapse. On the contrary, there is still a sense of energetic deja vu, and the new lineup is younger and more balanced. The backcourt combination of Booker and Jaylen Green will be the basic set of the Suns in the new season, and the lower limit of this combination is not low. Most of the other players in the lineup are above-average puzzle players. If the new coach Ott allows the players to perform their duties and improve the defense to the league average, the Suns may be able to get a spot in the play-offs in the new season. One fan, Art Durant, said, "The Suns won this deal." Durant responded, "It's better to have no expectations." Indeed, the outside world does not have any specific expectations for the Suns in the new season, but in this case, surprises are often more likely to occur.

Record prediction

The Suns ranked 11th in the Western Conference with 36 wins and 46 losses last season and missed the playoffs. After experiencing huge changes in the offseason, the editor believes that their wins in the new season will hover around 40 games.. It's hard to say they've gotten better after losing KD, but this team is indeed younger, taller, more athletic, and more importantly, looks brand new. In addition, since the first-round picks for many years to come are not in their hands, the Suns have no reason to mess up. They can only work hard to win and prove themselves with victory.