The Phoenix Suns have returned to winning ways having recorded back-to-back victories, and they have done so without Dillon Brooks. He has been missing with a groin issue, and if anything he has been put in a difficult spot once he does return. The Suns having climbed the defensive rankings to go above league average in his absence.
Even if that does drop off again once he's back on the court, Phoenix needs Brooks if they want to be the best version of themselves. For all of his faults, and taking the most field goal attempts on this roster is certainly one of them, teams that Brooks leaves end up struggling in his absence.
The Memphis Grizzlies need Brooks back badly to steady ship.
Never has this been more apparent than the Memphis Grizzlies right now, as their season is already in free fall. Point guard Ja Morant having already been suspended by that organization, and it seems only a matter of time before he is traded. We've already made the argument that the Suns should pick up the phone, and having Brooks on their roster is part of the reason why.
After generally side stepping questions about Dillon Brooks’ comments, LeBron James cut off his media availability with a simple message. pic.twitter.com/yVcWNWf5g4
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 21, 2023
It is not as simple as saying Brooks knows how to ensure Morant doesn't go off the rails, that would be doing a disservice to the franchise cornerstone in Memphis. But it is also true that since Brooks has left that franchise, they have only gone in one direction. If you remember Brooks' time with the Grizzlies, he went at LeBron James and was the personification of "Grit n'Grind" for that team.
Getting rid of him took away the soul of the group, and that is also true of the last team he played for in the Houston Rockets. They key difference there being when you've got Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, enough high end talent all playing with the same goal in mind can override whatever heart Brooks was giving Houston each night.
Given the Grizzlies are now in a tough spot, it might even be worth testing their resolve to see what they'd be willing to give up for Brooks. Grayson Allen is another former player of theirs who has some trade value right now, so packaging them together plus Nick Richards or even one of Ryan Dunn or Collin Gillespie would surely get the Suns something of value.
Jaren Jackson Jr. might seem a stretch, but he's injury prone and would be a clear upgrade over Mark Williams. Phoenix then wouldn't have to worry about extending their current starting center either, freeing up cap space down the road when they're ready to win around Devin Booker again. All of this is possible, because of how badly the Grizzlies need Dillon Brooks back in their lives.