Going into last season, there was newfound optimism with the Phoenix Suns after a first rough season in the Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker era. People were happy that Tyus Jones was going
to relieve Booker and Beal of point guard responsibilities and that the team would have some newfound continuity. That being said, there were questions that lingered for the team. How would they fare inside playing mostly Jusuf Nurkić and Mason Plumlee at center? Did the team have enough wing depth around Kevin Durant? Would Mike Budenholzer fix the team’s three point shooting and fourth quarter issues they had the previous season?
Unfortunately for Suns fans, the answers to those questions were not the ones that the team needed to improve on a disappointing 2023-2024 campaign, and the Valley missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-2020 season.
Here are the Suns’ Biggest Questions heading into the 2025-2026 campaign:
How much can Devin Booker truly carry?
With Durant out of town, there are zero doubt on whose team the Valley’s are: Booker’s. Slated to play point guard and his starting shooting guard Jalen Green out for at least the season opener, Booker will have a lot on his plate to start the year and for the entirety of it.
With Phoenix lacking playmakers across the roster, it will be on Booker to set up his teammates for offensive success on many possessions. Turning 29 later this month, he should be in the middle of his prime, and his ability to be an offensive engine could be the difference between the Suns being in playoff contention, or at the bottom of the standings.
Players have been in similar situations to what Booker is in now. When he played for the Houston Rockets, James Harden had many comparable rosters to what Booker has around him this year and led Houston to multiple playoff births. Stephen Curry led the Warriors to a 39-33 record in the 2020-2021 season without Klay Thompson by his side, almost making the playoffs in the process. Whether Booker can get to the level of those players when he needs to most remains to be seen.
How will the young players play?
As was mentioned on media day by Owner Mat Ishbia, this season for the Suns will be judged on more than just their record. One way that the season could be measured is by the development of the young talent the team has.
Jalen Green, Mark Williams and Ryan Dunn, all 23 or younger, are expected to start this season and have opportunities to contribute in ways they previously didn’t have the opportunity to. Rookies Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea all have different skillsets and play different positions; they will be given multiple opportunities throughout the year in both high and low stakes positions to prove themselves.
In what appears to be a retooling year for the Suns, the development of their young players will not only give them answers for their future roster construction plans, but also how they should feel about the offseason moves they made to acquire young talent.
Is Jordan Ott the head coach of the future?
Entering his first season as an NBA Head Coach, the jury is out on how the former Cleveland Cavaliers Assistant will fare in his new gig. He was part of the coaching staff that helped Evan Mobley become an All-NBA and the Defensive Player of the Year talent, was an assistant with the Lakers when they made their surprising run to the 2023 Western Conference Finals and spent time with the Brooklyn Nets before and During the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving era.
Now leading a team for the first time, Ott’s ability to develop players, build relationships and keep the team afloat during difficult stretches will play a major role in whether he’s another one-year coach like Mike Budenholzer and Frank Vogel were in Phoenix, or a longterm solution at the position.
What answers do you think the Suns will get to these questions?
