The Suns have added key role players to complement their dynamic trio of guards.
Offseason Recap
• Last Season: 45-37 (7th in West, lost in First Round)
• Key Additions: Miles Bridges, Luke Kennard, Koa Peat
• Every Suns move this offseason
Season Outlook
The Suns hit reset last offseason, trading Kevin Durant for Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green while hiring first-time head coach Jordan Ott.
The moves helped Phoenix forge a new identity. While Devin Booker led the way offensively (26.1 ppg, 6.0 apg), the Suns made a major leap defensively, climbing from 27th in defensive rating in 2024-25 to ninth last season.
It led to a nine-win jump. But after reaching the 2026 NBA Playoffs through the SoFi Play-In Tournament, the Suns were swept in the first round by the Thunder. Now, they’re looking for more.
Enter Miles Bridges, who Phoenix acquired this offseason in a trade with Charlotte for Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale. Bridges gives the Suns another proven scorer, while adding size and versatility to a frontcourt that will be without Mark Williams (shoulder) to start the season.
Phoenix also added Luke Kennard to help replenish some of the shooting lost with Allen and O’Neale. Now, with Bridges and Kennard in the mix, the Suns will once again feature a reshaped supporting cast around Booker.
Breakout Candidate: Collin Gillespie
Collin Gillespie has made a habit of exceeding expectations.
After going undrafted in 2022 and spending his first two NBA seasons on two-way deals, Gillespie found his footing in Phoenix – and took off.
Last season, the 27-year-old set career highs in points (12.7), assists (4.6), minutes (28.5) and starts (58) while knocking down a franchise-record 232 3-pointers.
Phoenix rewarded that rise with a four-year deal this summer. And with the departure of 371 3-pointers – 212 from O’Neale and another 159 from Allen – Gillespie’s ability to stretch the floor will be even more crucial this year.
He also brings more than shooting. In an expanded role last season, Gillespie finished second on the team in assists, steals and games played, while adding a competitive edge that has helped define Phoenix under Ott.
Gillespie has already proven he belongs. Now, how much further can he go?
1 Number To Know
7.4 — The Suns averaged 3.1 more shot opportunities than their opponents, the league’s third-best differential last season and up from 4.3 fewer than their opponents (third worst) in 2024-25. That improvement of 7.4 per game was more than double that of any other team.
In Ott’s first season as head coach, the Suns got aggressive. They ranked sixth in offensive rebounding percentage and third in opponent turnover rate, making up for their deficiencies in regard to shooting and free throw differential. They didn’t make the most of their shot opportunities, but they won by getting more shots than their opponents.
That was important in regard to picking up wins against lesser opponents, but the Suns had the fourth-worst record (21-30) in games played between the 19 teams that finished with winning records. Then they lost the possession game in three of their four games during their first-round sweep.
— John Schuhmann
5 Must-See Matchups
Oct. 24: Warriors vs. Suns — The last time the Warriors and Suns squared off was in a win-or-go-home Play-In game in April, when Phoenix eliminated Golden State and punched its ticket to the Playoffs. During Opening Week of 2026-27, the two sides reunite.
Oct. 26: Suns vs. Thunder — Two nights later, the Suns meet the team that ended their season. OKC outscored Phoenix by 17.3 points in the four-game sweep. Now, the Suns get an early-season rematch.
Oct. 30: Nuggets vs. Suns — The Suns went 0-3 against the Nuggets last season. If Phoenix wants to take a forward step in the West, matchups like this are crucial, and the teams’ first meeting of 2026-27 comes with heightened stakes: an Emirates NBA Cup 2026 Group Play opener.
Nov. 7: Rockets vs. Suns — Durant returns to the Valley to face his former team, headlining a matchup with a Houston squad that has established itself near the top of the West.
Nov. 15: Lakers vs. Suns — The third Sunday in November offers a matchup between two of the game’s most prolific shot-makers: Booker and Luka Dončić. Which star will shine brightest when the Pacific Division rivals duel?
> Complete Regular Season Schedule
Preseason Storylines
Who starts at center to open the season?
That question suddenly looms large for Phoenix with Mark Williams (shoulder) sidelined for several months. Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach will both have opportunities to fill that void, while the Suns reportedly added 30-year-old Duop Reath to join the competition.
Ighodaro played in all 82 games last season, developing into one of Phoenix’s most versatile defenders.
Maluach, meanwhile, enters Year 2 with momentum. The No. 10 pick in the 2025 Draft averaged 19.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks across four Summer League games, earning Second Team All-Summer League honors.
Then there’s Reath, who spent his first three NBA seasons with Portland, posting 6.2 points per game in 146 outings.
With five preseason games before Opening Night, the Suns will get an early look at all three options in the middle.
