3 former Suns who would have thrived in Phoenix this season

The Phoenix Suns have gone through a considerable roster overhaul this offseason, and they might not be finished just yet. Although talks of trading for Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors have quietened - with this unlikely rival appearing to have the inside track - the Suns nonetheless are clearly in the hunt to improve this group if they can.

They're not longer in the first or second apron and are armed with the likes of Grayson Allen and Nick Richards in trade talks, as well as an array of second round picks. That package didn't interest the Warriors in Kuminga talks, but it is collection of talent and picks that would at least get some other organizations to pick up the phone.

Three former Suns would have excelled in The Valley in 2025-26.

Then there are the guys who were moved on this summer, as the Suns look to re-tool around 28-year-old superstar Devin Booker. The outlook for large parts of this roster is... not good - and it is almost ironic that some players from last season that they let go would have done really well given the change in head coach and expectations in Phoenix this coming season.

3. Tyus Jones

If one thing became painfully clear throughout last season, it was that then point guard Tyus Jones was not a starting calibre floor general in this league. His best work had come off the bench with the Memphis Grizzlies, and it is likely he will revert back to that role this coming season with the Orlando Magic, a contender out East.

But there was actually a season when Jones both started and played some of the best basketball of his career. A campaign with the Washington Wizards that preceded his Suns run in which he took care of the basketball better than any other player and averaged a career high 7.3 assists. The reason he did so well in Washington? There were no expectations to have a deep playoff run.

That was different in Phoenix, and Jones struggled as a result. By season's end he had been moved back to the bench, and it was clear that opponents would hunt him mercilessly had the Suns made the postseason. They didn't, and they won't again this season. But with the depth chart now consisting of Jalen Green, Collin Gillespie and another, this would have been the perfect Jones spot.

2. Bol Bol

We've already had a deep dive on why the Suns were wrong to let the enigmatic Bol Bol walk this summer here, but the reasons are obvious. In his two seasons in Phoenix, the team had championship aspirations which they fell well short of. As we know from his stint with the Orlando Magic, Bol is at his best when the stakes are low and he can be a mystery box of offensive goodness.

He's a dreadful defender and continues to be thought of as a more tradition big, despite the fact he can't protect the rime at all. Bol was a luxury player at a time when the Suns needed grafters to improve their defensive standing, which is one of the reasons it didn't work out for him. He currently remains without a team heading into the new season as well.

But on the 2025-26 version of the Suns - who will struggle to make the play-in - Bol would have been perfect. Entertaining enough to keep fans onside each night, while he would have been good from roughly 40 percent from deep and about 10 points per game. All while helping fellow South Sudanese - and actual center - Khaman Maluach get settled in The Valley. A missed opportunity.

1. Bradley Beal

Ridiculous we know, but stick with us on this one. The main problem with Bradley Beal has always been the size of his contract relative to his output. As soon as he landed in Phoenix he became injury-prone - and if you're forking out over $50 million each season - you expect All-Star level production.

Beal obviously never came close to that, but he could have rehabbed his trade value some in this imaginary scenario where only Durant left and the team still had all of the same incoming rookies, plus Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. With less expectations - and Beal entering the second to last year of his current contract - could he have gotten a bigger piece of the offensive pie?

If that was the case - and Durant's shots would have been split between himself, Booker and Green - then some other franchise could have talked themselves into an expensive rental for half of next season and the one after that. There's a reason the L.A. Clippers picked him up right away once he was bought out, and he's averaged over 30 twice in his career. Plenty of losses but an improved Beal.