The Phoenix Suns exceeded expectations last season after suffering a losing record and missing the postseason in 2024-25 with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.
They traded Durant, bought out Beal, fired Mike Budenholzer, hired Jordan Ott, who had never been a head coach, and established a new culture of toughness and passion.
As a result, Phoenix won 45 games and returned to the postseason. But the franchise is far from satisfied heading into the 2026-27 season.
"Identity is not built in one year. OK?" Suns general manager Brian Gregory said at the team's media day Sept. 28 at Mortgage Matchup Center. "I think we laid a really solid foundation. What our challenge now this year is to take establishing that identity to the next level,
which is solidifying it. You know, and that's every day, and everything we do, do things with great toughness, great togetherness, great connectivity, us continuing to be resilient, and having that connection during the challenges that are gonna come up in the season, as they always do.
"Great teams in this league are able to respond past their circumstances and outperform their circumstances. I think we showed an ability to do that last year. Whatever comes our way, we need to respond and outperform whatever is in front of us. And I think we'll be able to do that."
The Suns begin training camp on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the team’s practice facility. Phoenix opens the regular season on the road Oct. 21 against the Portland Trail Blazers.
“I'm excited about it," Suns All-Star Devin Booker said. "In the past that, I've been more successful, the team has been more successful when we know what to expect going into the year. I think the mental part of guys not being in a contract year, and got their money already, and are established, you know, we're coming in, all with the same mindset to win. Time will tell, but it's definitely gonna be nice seeing some familiar faces back. Same coach (Jordan Ott). We're all on the same page. This summer was a big summer for us to keep all the same guys in the same building."
The Suns may have to battle their way through the play-in tournament as they did last season to reach the playoffs for a second straight year.
The Western Conference remains stacked, with the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder championship contenders.
The Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers are considered playoff teams, while the Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks aren’t to be taken lightly.
Neither are the Suns.
"Super excited."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 28, 2026
Jalen Green on 2026-27 seaaon. #Suns pic.twitter.com/DUU4RKQZHu
“I think we stack up with anybody," Suns guard Jalen Green said. "We got a lot of talent over here, a lot of hungry guys, especially how last year went. I think everybody coming in got a taste of it, got to feel for it. You want to execute and go about it differently and go farther. I mean, for me, especially, two years in a row going to the first round in the playoffs, exit. I'm trying to grab that first round."
Phoenix will begin the season without starting center Mark Williams, who underwent surgery Sept. 10 for a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Expected to miss months of the regular season, Williams suffered the injury in an offseason workout.
"Mark had a tremendous summer," Gregory said. "Got stronger, gained weight, all good weight, worked on his explosiveness, was on the court getting better every single day. So, just so unfortunate, and feel for him, and you could tell that the guy saw what he did in the summer months and just felt terribly for him."
The 7-footer averaged 11.7 points and eight rebounds in career-high 60 games last season in his first year in Phoenix.
The Suns signed him to a three-year, $38-million deal in the offseason. Williams was a restricted free agent.
Suns coach Jordan Ott declined to say who will start at center, but said they'll have different rotations in the five preseason games going into the season opener. #Suns pic.twitter.com/KWpFhSXC0z
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 28, 2026
“With that being said, his surgery was highly successful," Gregory continued. "He's already starting his rehab. It'll be several months before we're able to get a good read on return to play, and so forth, but the one thing I know about Mark, he's in their morning, noon, and night right now. And he's gonna do everything he can to get back as fast as he can, as healthy as he can, to help impact the team this year."
Phoenix will now look to have either Khaman Maluach, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 draft, or Oso Ighodaro, who didn’t miss a game last season, to start at center.
“They both have unique skill sets that are different," Gregory said about Maluach and Ighodaro. "They both have strengths that are different, but the common thread with both those guys, and with all our guys, but in those two guys in particular, unbelievable work ethic, great coachability, want to get better every day, a competitive level that is very, very unique on a daily basis. And because of that, we feel very good about our rotation at that spot. Those guys have put into work, and now we're ready to showcase the things that they've been able to improve on. And that's a tough position in this league. Those two guys will battle every night for us. That's one thing I can guarantee."
The Suns went into the summer talking about wanting to stand pat, but they shook up the roster with a major trade that sparked controversy in the Valley with a key addition.
"We are an ascending team."
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) September 28, 2026
Phoenix Suns team owner Mat Ishbia. #Suns pic.twitter.com/jQ3NYXOmY6
Phoenix moved Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale and an unprotected 2033 first-round pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Miles Bridges, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick.
Bridges averaged 17.1 points on 46% shooting, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 2025-26 in 77 games. The 6-7, 225-pound forward brings experience, athleticism and physicality to the power forward position.
In the final year of a three-year, $75-million deal, Bridges is eligible for a three-year extension up to $86 million.
"I watched a lot of film on this team," Bridges said. "I feel like my physicality is going to really help us because we're already a physical team with Dillon and everybody else. It's a scrappy team and I think I can add to that."
The Suns signed guard Luke Kennard, one of the best 3-point marksmen in NBA history.
He knocked down 47.8% of his 3s last season to lead the league in 3-point shooting for the third time in his pro career. Kyle Korver and Kennard are the only two to achieve that feat.
Kennard averaged 8.4 points in 78 games last season with the Atlanta Hawks and Los Angeles Lakers.
“This year, ever since I've signed here, teammates, coaches, everybody saying, 'shoot more, shoot more,'" Kennard said. "More difficult shots. I'm excited for that."
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns ready to compete with West elite after surprise season
