Yeah, things are about to get messy. We’ve closed the book on Tier 1, The Cornerstones, a list that belonged only to Devin Booker and Jalen Green. No surprises there. The opening order of the 2025–26 SunsRank looks like this:
- Devin Booker
- Jalen Green
- …
And now we move into Tier 2, The Pillars.
Before diving in, I want to address some of the feedback from the community about adding a separate tier for the Suns’ future pieces. I thought about it, I really did. There’s enough youth on this roster to justify its own category. But
I kept it to four tiers on purpose. At the end of the season, we’ll revisit these exact same groupings — Cornerstones, Pillars, Wild Cards, and Depth Pieces — and what interests me most is seeing how each player’s place in the hierarchy shifts from start to finish. The tiers are designed to break the roster into digestible pieces, not to permanently define what each player is or will be.
With that said, we’re on to Tier 2. Five players landed here in the voting, and these are The Pillars. They’re not quite Cornerstones, but they’re strong enough to carry weight. They stabilize the roster, they give it structure, and if they rise, so does the ceiling of this team. Their importance to the Suns’ success moving forward cannot be overstated.
So who do we have?
Grayson Allen
Grayson Allen entered last year’s SunsRank preseason at fourth overall, only to slip to fifth by season’s end as his role shifted to the bench. That looks to be the blueprint again this year. After starting 74 of 75 games in 2023–24, he’ll once more anchor the second unit, providing scoring punch and shooting off the bench. His role may have changed, but his value hasn’t. Allen is still a steady contributor who can swing games with his shot.
Dillon Brooks
A SunsRank newcomer, Brooks arrives in Phoenix through the Kevin Durant trade, bringing with him the kind of fire and effort this team lacked a season ago. His reputation precedes him. A grinder, an agitator, a player who tilts the emotional balance of a game. Where he lands in SunsRank will be one of the more interesting storylines this year, because his impact won’t be measured in points alone.
Ryan Dunn
Dunn’s rise in last year’s SunsRank was the steepest on the roster. He opened as a rookie from Virginia ranked 10th and closed the season at fourth. The numbers weren’t eye-popping, but his relentless effort and defensive versatility made him a favorite with the fan base. Entering year two, he has the opportunity to cement himself as more than energy and defense, and that’s what makes his place in SunsRank so intriguing.
Royce O’Neale
O’Neale was the definition of steady last season. A true flatliner. He opened SunsRank as the sixth-best player on the roster and finished in the same spot. Some nights he made his presence felt, other nights he faded into the background, but his contract and skill set still make him a valuable piece. As this season unfolds, the question becomes whether he stays steady or surprises us with a rise up the board.
Mark Williams
Williams was one of the closest calls in tier voting. Fifty-one percent of his ballots landed him in Tier 2, but 32 percent pushed him into Tier 1. He sits right on the edge of being viewed as a cornerstone. His development, role, and production this year will ultimately decide which way he leans, and SunsRank gives us the chance to track that in real time.
Now the fun begins. Let the voting start, and let the conversations follow. Take your time, think it through, make your case. Rank SunsRank.
