Tag: Basketball

Here’s a 2025–26 season review (mid-season/early take) for the Phoenix Suns, based on what’s gone on so far — and what looks likely for where things are headed.

Big Picture Context & Background

1. New Chapter After a Disappointing 2024–25
   • The Suns came off a very underwhelming 2024–25 season (36–46), missing even the Play-In Tournament. (Reuters)
   • Owner Mat Ishbia called the season a “failure” and expressed frustration with a lack of identity, passion, and effort. (Reuters)
   • Head coach Mike Budenholzer was fired after just one season. (New York Post)
2. Roster Overhaul
   • The Suns traded Kevin Durant, and let Bradley Beal go, signaling a significant reset. (NBA Analysis)
   • Key additions:
     • Jalen Green (from Houston) — brings youth, scoring potential. (NBA Analysis)
     • Dillon Brooks — known for his defensive intensity. (NBA Analysis)
     • Mark Williams — to add size in the frontcourt. (NBA Analysis)
   • Other moves: signing Jordan Goodwin, Nigel Hayes-Davis; re-signing Collin Gillespie. (NBA Analysis)
   • But, question mark at point guard: after Tyus Jones left, the Suns don’t have a proven traditional PG. Analysts see this as a major roster hole. (SI)
3. Leadership & Stability Around Devin Booker
   • Devin Booker remains the anchor. He re-signed (extension) and is clearly the face of the rebuild. (NBA)
   • He’s expected to lean more into leadership, especially as the roster resets. (NBA)
   • Notably, in NBA 2K26, Booker is rated 91 overall, the only Suns player rated really high; Jalen Green is next (83). (SI)
4. Coaching Change / New Voice
   • The Suns hired Jordan Ott as their head coach. (Wikipedia)
   • Early signs, at least from other coaches, are positive: for example, Steve Kerr praised the Suns’ style under Ott, noting more organization and purpose, especially defensively. (Bright Side Of The Sun)

Early Season Performance (as of Now)

Since the season is still in its early stages, the “review” is necessarily provisional, but some trends are emerging:

1. Slow Start — Then Some Momentum
   • After a tough start (losing 4 of their first 5), the Suns have rebounded, winning 5 of their last 6 per Axios. (Axios)
   • Their record (currently) is 8–5, per Basketball-Reference. (Basketball Reference)
   • Their offensive rating is strong; they’re scoring at a good clip. According to Basketball-Reference: Off Rtg ~119.0 (top-10) so far. (Basketball Reference)
   • Their defensive rating is also respectable (Def Rtg ~114.1). (Basketball Reference)
   • Net rating is +4.9, which suggests they’re not just playing — they’re competitive. (Basketball Reference)
2. Notable Games
   • Big comeback: In their opener (or early in the season), the Suns erased a large deficit vs. Sacramento — down 64–44 in 2nd quarter, but came back to win 120–116. (The Sporting Base)
   • Jalen Green’s impact is muted early: Green, a key offseason acquisition, has been hampered by injury. According to Axios, he re-aggravated a hamstring issue and will miss several weeks. (Axios)
3. Defense & Identity
   • There’s some positive buzz: people are noting “scrappy,” high-effort defense. In fan circles, it’s being argued the Suns are doing well limiting ISO scoring. > “Teams Who Have Given Up The Fewest Points Per Possession Guarding ISOs … Phoenix Suns — 0.67” — per Reddit. (Reddit)
   • But skepticism remains: as one analysis piece argues, the roster is top-heavy with shooting guards (Booker, Green, Allen), and the lack of a true PG could be a structural problem. (Bright Side Of The Sun)

Risks, Challenges & Key Questions

• Roster Construction Risk: With so many shooting guards, the Suns might be too narrow. Their lack of positional diversity could make them exploitable. (Bright Side Of The Sun)
• Point Guard Uncertainty: Without a defined playmaking guard, who runs the offense when Booker isn’t putting up individual numbers? (SI)
• Green’s Availability: If Green continues to be injured, that undermines a big piece of their retooling plan.
• Long-Term Direction: Is this a full rebuild, or a “retool and make occasional push” situation? The personnel choices suggest more of a rebuild, but cap and asset structure will matter.
• Talent Development: Can young pieces like Green, Mark Williams, and maybe future draft picks grow into core contributors?
• Playoff Viability: With a tough Western Conference, even a solid recovery might not be enough to contend — but perhaps that’s not the goal this season.

Early-Season Verdict: Mixed but Optimistic

• Pros:
  • The Suns look more coherent under a new coach.
  • Offensive firepower is real, and they seem capable of explosive scoring.
  • Leadership from Booker is strong; he’s clearly invested in building this team his way.
  • The defensive tone has improved in some facets; not a smoke show, there’s actual effort.
• Cons:
  • Injuries (especially to Green) could derail momentum.
  • Structural issues (roster imbalance) may limit upside.
  • They’re likely not a serious playoff threat yet; this feels like a foundation year.

Looking Ahead: What to Watch

1. Green’s Return: How he comes back (health, aggressiveness) will be a barometer for the Suns’ true ceiling.
2. Young Bigs: How Mark Williams and any other young frontcourt players develop.
3. Point Guard Solution: Will they lean on Gillespie or find other ways to facilitate?
4. Roster Moves: Midseason trades or signings could reshape this team’s trajectory.
5. Playoff Push or Rebuild: Depending on how they start to gel, management may have to decide — do they try to make a run or fully commit to a long rebuild?

Bottom Line

The 2025–26 Suns are no longer a “win-now with short-term stars” team — they’re in a transitional phase. It’s early, but there are encouraging signs: competitive performances, a clearer identity under a new coach, and glimpses of what could be a youthful core centered on Booker.

This season likely won’t be about contending for a title. Instead, it’s about laying the groundwork — building culture, developing young talent, and figuring out what the next era of Suns basketball looks like.