It's a transitional period for the Phoenix Suns, and there are some obvious downsides to being in the position they're currently in. However, with Dillon Brooks now joining the fold in The Valley, the Suns have gained a lockdown perimeter defender who has a track record of success on that side of the basketball.
In that way, Brooks will be bringing a skill that no one currently on Phoenix's roster really possesses at the moment. Sure, there's some budding young defensive talent in Ryan Dunn to be excited about, but he still doesn't have anything close to the longevity that Dillon does.
With that in mind, we can gain a pretty good understanding of just what Brooks might bring to this team. For starters, there's the obvious. He's going to be a hard-nosed threat on every possession defensively, wrestling with opposing offensive players and frequently making life difficult for them.
Dillon Brooks is going to be a culture-setter in Phoenix
When you talk about a perimeter defender the likes of Brooks, you aren't just speaking of a player with great physical tools who knows how to get a stop on nearly every trip down the floor. You also have to think about the mental aspect. Dillon's made a living out of getting in the heads of his opposition. You can like Brooks or you can hate him, but he's been in the league for eight seasons going on nine for a reason.
It's that kind of player who can help really set a tone for an organization culturally. Leaders don't always come in the form of 25-point per game scorers. Sometimes, they're the guys who show they're willing to do the dirty work and inspire the rest of those around them. That's precisely what Brooks is going to do.
Everyone's counting out the Suns for next season, but it's these attributes from Dillon that I believe is going to make them a much tougher out than most fans outside Phoenix might realize. And that's not even mentioning the potential improvement he may be able to make as a scorer. We all know that Brooks has been criticized for his shot selection in the past, but it seems he'll have an ideal environment to improve his shot chart next season.
Overall, I think people have chosen to forget about Dillon Brooks' talent, but he's going to force a lot of people to remember in the very near future.