It is hard not to have some degree of optimism for the Phoenix Suns as we head into the dog days of the NBA's offseason. They've cleared house on most of their veteran players, and with that the expectations in The Valley have also shifted. The Suns have three incoming rookies and a pair of second year players, as well as a new head coach in Devin Booker.
The 28-year-old has been financially rewarded for sticking around for the rest of the decade, but it will come at a cost for him personally. Fans in Phoenix are well aware that championship aspirations have been put on ice, but they also seem happy to once again root for a younger, more hungry group that is at least going to try every night.
Suns can't win many games relying on young players so much.
Which is just as well, because there is going to be a lot of losing taking place for this team next season. There is still a long time to go until next season, and so a lot can change. But right now various bookmakers have already come out with their win totals for teams - and depending on which one you look at - the Suns aren't pegged to go much over 31 wins.
That might seem ridiculously low, until you consider the team will be starting a second year player in Ryan Dunn, and may also try 18-year-old rookie center Khaman Maluach at some point in the season. That might be out of necessity as well, as the Suns' starting big man Mark Williams has never played more than 43 games in a season as a result of injury.
Then there is Koby Brea - who looked so smooth in Summer League - and who could also be given extended run as the season progresses. The Suns' third rookie in Rasheer Fleming is one that a lot of fans are highest on, and you can expect him to get a look in too. All of which is to say - if the Suns want to develop these guys while the expectations are low - losing is going to happen regularly.
Koby Brea is a smooth operator
— Point Made Basketball (@pointmadebball) July 13, 2025
We knew he was a lights out shooter, but seeing his game expand outside of them and having him dip into his off the dribble creation bag makes you wonder if there’s more to him pic.twitter.com/2uEViicd3C
Which is not even a bad thing, and you can be sure Dillon Brooks is going to try and ensure that is not always the case. If Jalen Green is on the young side at 23-years-old, but he does have a lot of experience already having come over from the Houston Rockets alongside Brooks. If you think this is a negative outlook, consider the Utah Jazz.
They don't have a star like Booker to will them to some victories, but they will be starting two rookies in Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. Isaiah Collier is entering his second season as well, which has shades of the Suns' situation. Their over/under depending on who you go with isn't even 20 wins, and 10-12 victories sure seems like about a Booker's worth of input from Phoenix.
Besides, didn't the Suns only win 36 games last season with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in town? Patience is a word you are going to hear a lot both next season and beyond, and with good reason. With so much youth being added to the roster, it is going to take time for these guys to get comfortable in the league.