The Phoenix Suns will enter the 2025-26 regular season with little expectation that they can actually do anything other than try and once again build around Devin Booker. Most experts have them pegged between 29-31 wins, which in the Western Conference isn't even going to nab them a play-in spot.
Looking at the roster the front office has assembled - and although there is no doubt it has gotten younger and now has much more upside - there are more question marks than ever around this team. The Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal experiment might not have worked, but at least you knew what you were supposed to be getting when they were in The Valley.
Three Suns stand out as being clear question marks in Phoenix.
There are three individuals who more than any other have question marks hanging over them heading into next season, be that because of what they've shown in the league so far or what is expected of them in their role in Phoenix. If all three of these can hit - and there is most certainly a chance that can happen - then the Suns are going to make the play-in tournament.
3. Jalen Green
It should come as no surprise to see 23-year-old Jalen Green on this list, and really the variance on what he can bring in year one with the team is greater than any other player. From the most optimistic point of view, there's clearly All-Star potential there and he hung 38 points on the Golden State Warriors in his first playoff experience last season.
Given more of a chance to carry the offensive load in Phoenix - and with guys like Ryan Dunn and former teammate Dillon Brooks to cover for him defensively - this could be a breakout season for Green. What that ultimately means is another question, as the front office could still decide that trading him if his value increases is the best course of action here.
That's because from the pessimist's viewpoint, Green plays the same position as Booker and the overlap between the pair is too great to truly succeed. There has been some talk of Green moving to the point guard spot - and if he could somehow make that work - then that too would qualify as a success. If he fits in the way everybody hopes though, Green is in for a huge year.
2. Collin Gillespie
Fans were thrilled to see Collin Gillespie rewarded with the backup point guard role in Phoenix after his two-way exploits last season, providing much needed energy and a willingness to do anything to win when out on the court. If the Suns were a better team overall, then Gillespie as the hard-nosed guard off the bench would have made a lot of sense.
But there's a reason why it took T.J. McConnell nearly a decade to get the recognition his game deserves on the biggest stage, and it is a problem Gillespie is likely to have too. The Suns have too many problems and aren't going to be the better team on a lot of nights next season, and Gillespie's perceived lack of talent relative to a lot of other guards is going to be on full display.
THE COLLIN GILLESPIE GAME 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/F6BxTdAJLl
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 3, 2025
We'd love to be wrong here - how we want to be - but defenders are now going to have more players to cover Gillespie with. For all of Durant and Beal's faults in Phoenix, they at least demanded much of an opponent's defensive game plan. This allowed Gillespie to fly under the radar on both ends, and likely in scouting reports too. If he can prove he belongs though, he will will the team to some wins.
1. Khaman Maluach
The clear answer here, although it may seem unfair for a rookie in Khaman Maluach to have the most question marks surrounding them heading into next season. If the Suns got this lottery pick right though, then they are set at the center position for the rest of the decade and finally have a proper replacement for Deandre Ayton.
The problem here is that Maluach is only 18-years-old, and his Summer League play was illuminating for some of the wrong reasons. There's no doubt that his massive frame is going to be helpful on the defensive end, and through instincts alone he is able to alter shots and even stay in front of some opponents.
But he is not yet bulky enough to bang with true big men, while offensively there isn't much to work with at this point. Expect Brooks to talk him through many defensive possessions, while he'll make a living feeding off broken plays to score some points as well. The attitude seems to be there however, which at this stage in his growth is half the battle. Easily the most intriguing player on the roster.